A vehicle purchase is a big investment. Before you buy, you should take steps to protect yourself financially and legally.
The first consideration is how much you intend to spend. If you plan to apply for a car loan, here are a few things you can do in advance to put yourself in the best position to be approved with a favorable interest rate:
- Check your credit report – Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to make sure the information is accurate. Lenders will check your credit in determining your eligibility.
- Ask who the dealership finances through – Research the financing company before signing a loan. This may be the dealership itself, but financing is often handled through a third party.
- Know the total cost of the loan – It’s important to factor in the monthly payment amount, the number of payments in the loan and the loan interest rate.
If you are in the market for a used vehicle, you should check the vehicle’s history before purchasing it. Has it been involved in any accidents? What is its service history? How many previous owners have there been? Exercise caution when purchasing a car “as is,” because you assume responsibility for any problems that occur after you drive it off the lot. You can obtain a report on a vehicle’s history on
VehicleHistory.gov. using the auto’s vehicle identification number (VIN).
If something goes wrong with your vehicle, you do have some protections under these Ohio laws:
- Title Defect Recision (TDR) Law: In Ohio, licensed dealers are permitted to sell used vehicles before obtaining the vehicle’s title. If a dealer fails to provide your title within 40 days of the purchase date, you may have the right to a refund. Also, be aware that you may be eligible for a refund from the Title Defect Recision Fund if you buy a rebuilt salvage vehicle but were not notified of that before the purchase, if the dealer makes an inaccurate odometer disclosure, or if the car is a Lemon Law “buyback” and the information was not disclosed to you in writing.
- MotorVehicles Repairs and Services Rule: Ohio law grants you the right to an estimate for car repairs estimated to cost $50 or more, and for the repair of other products, such as large appliances, that will cost $25 or more. Always get an estimate in writing. If the cost later increases to more than 10 percent of that estimate, the shop must get your approval in advance to do the extra work.
- Lemon Law: Ohio’s Lemon Law protects buyers of new and leased vehicles from serious problems within the first year or 18,000 miles. The law covers warranty issues that affect the vehicle's safety, value or use.
When does the Lemon Law apply?
- When the vehicle has problems that are covered by the warranty.
- The problems substantially impair the vehicle's safety, value or use.
- And the problems occur within the first year or 18,000 miles of ownership.
How do I file a claim?
- Give the dealer or manufacturer a reasonable chance to fix the problem.
- If the manufacturer can't fix the problem, you can file a Lemon Law complaint with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office
What is covered by the Lemon Law?
- The full purchase price
- Incidental damages, such as towing, meals, lodging, and rental car fees
- Reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs
Always research the dealership’s reputation before doing business with the company. You can search for any consumer complaints against the dealership at
the Ohio Attorney General’s website.
If you are searching for a motor vehicle, check out the
Attorney General’s Used Car Buyer Checklist for specific tips to help you in your search for the right dealership and right vehicle for you.
Consumers who suspect a scam or an unfair business practice should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioProtects.org or 800-282-0515.