Lemon Law Buyback

Get a full refund for your defective vehicle. The manufacturer buys back your car, truck, or SUV at the full purchase price.

Free Buyback Evaluation

What Is a Lemon Law Buyback?

A lemon law buyback is the most common remedy under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. When your vehicle qualifies as a lemon, the manufacturer is required to repurchase it from you at the full price you paid, plus additional costs.

What You Receive in a Buyback

Full Purchase Price The entire amount you paid for the vehicle, including down payment and all monthly payments made

Sales Tax & Fees All sales tax, registration fees, license fees, and DMV charges you paid

Incidental Damages Towing costs, rental car expenses, ride-share costs, and other out-of-pocket expenses caused by the defect

Loan Payoff If you're still making payments, the manufacturer pays off your remaining auto loan balance

Estimate your buyback

Live calculator

Punch in your numbers. The calculator runs the §1793.2(d)(2)(C) formula and shows what the manufacturer should owe under Song-Beverly.

Purchase price ($) Vehicle + tax + license + manufacturer options. Excludes extended warranty, GAP, aftermarket. Mileage at first repair attempt The odometer reading the day you first delivered the vehicle for the defect. Finance charges paid ($) Total interest paid on the auto loan, from purchase to today. Zero if you paid cash. Incidental damages ($) Out-of-pocket costs caused by the defect — rental car, towing, replacement registration.

Enter a purchase price to see your estimate.

Have an attorney check these numbers →

Free and no obligation. We'll check your estimate against your actual repair and purchase documents.

Estimate only. Your actual recovery depends on the specific facts of your case. The civil penalty requires a court to find a willful violation under §1794(c) — see the civil penalty pillar for what triggers it.

The Mileage Offset

The one deduction the manufacturer can take is a mileage offset — a charge for the miles you drove before the first repair attempt for the defect. The formula is:

Mileage Offset Formula

Purchase Price × (Miles at First Repair ÷ 120,000)

Example: If you bought a $40,000 vehicle and had 5,000 miles on it at the first repair attempt, the offset would be $40,000 × (5,000 ÷ 120,000) = $1,667. Your refund would be $38,333 plus taxes, fees, and incidental costs.

Buyback vs. Other Remedies

A buyback isn't your only option. You can also choose a replacement vehicle or negotiate a cash-and-keep settlement. Which option is best depends on your situation:

Buyback is ideal when you want to walk away from the vehicle entirely and get your money back
Replacement works when you like the model but got a bad unit
Cash-and-keep makes sense when the defect is annoying but you still want the car

How Long Does a Buyback Take?

Most buyback cases are resolved in 30 to 90 days. The process involves filing a demand, negotiating with the manufacturer, and completing the paperwork. Read our detailed guide on how long a lemon law case takes.

Do I Qualify for a Buyback?

You may qualify for a lemon law buyback if your vehicle meets these criteria:

Purchased or leased in California with a manufacturer's warranty
Has a substantial defect that impairs use, value, or safety
The defect has been repaired 2+ times (safety) or 4+ times (other), or the vehicle was out of service for 30+ days

Not sure if you qualify? Get a free case evaluation — we'll review your repair records and tell you exactly what your vehicle is worth.

Find out if your vehicle qualifies — no fees unless we win.

Get Your Free Lemon Law Buyback Evaluation

Free 60-second check · no cost, no obligation.

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