New Jersey Used Car Lemon Law: What's Covered and What to Do
NJ's Used Car Lemon Law covers dealer-sold cars up to 7 model years old, 100,000 miles and $3,000+. See the required warranty, what's covered and your remedies.
By the NJCarListings.com team · Updated September 27, 2026 · 2 min read
New Jersey is one of the few states with a used car lemon law. If you buy an eligible used car from a dealer and a major part fails soon after, the dealer has to fix it — and if they can't, you may be entitled to a refund. Here's who's covered and what to do.
Which cars are covered
The NJ Used Car Lemon Law applies when you buy a used car from a licensed dealer and the car:
- is seven model years old or newer,
- has 100,000 miles or fewer, and
- costs at least $3,000.
It does not cover private-party sales. When you buy from an individual, the car is sold as-is.
The required warranty
For covered cars, the dealer must give you a warranty on the major powertrain parts. How long it lasts depends on the mileage when you buy:
| Mileage at purchase | Warranty |
|---|---|
| 24,000 miles or less | 90 days or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first |
| 24,001–60,000 miles | 60 days or 2,000 miles, whichever comes first |
| 60,001–100,000 miles | 30 days or 1,000 miles, whichever comes first |
What the warranty covers
The warranty covers the parts that make the car go:
- Engine — internal lubricated parts
- Transmission — automatic or manual, internal parts
- Drive components — front-wheel and rear-wheel drive parts
- Related seals, gaskets and bearings
It doesn't cover things like brakes, electronics, air conditioning or wear items. Ask the dealer about any extended warranty or service contract separately, and read what it covers.
When is it a "lemon"?
A covered car may qualify as a lemon if a covered defect:
- still isn't fixed after the dealer has tried three times, or
- keeps the car out of service for 20 or more days in total.
If so, the dealer must replace the car or refund the purchase price, less sales tax, title and registration fees and a reasonable deduction for your use of the car.
What to do if something goes wrong
- Report it to the dealer right away, in writing, and keep a copy.
- Keep every repair order — dates, mileage, what was wrong and what was done.
- Count repair attempts and days out of service.
- If the dealer can't fix it, contact the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs Lemon Law Unit about the dispute process, or talk to a lemon-law attorney.
Protect yourself anyway
The lemon law is a safety net, not a substitute for checking the car. Get a vehicle history report and an independent pre-purchase inspection, and use our test drive and inspection checklist.
Shopping now? Browse used cars from NJ dealers or see local dealers.
Frequently asked questions
Does the NJ used car lemon law cover private sales?
How long is the NJ used car lemon law warranty?
When is a used car a lemon in New Jersey?
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Fees and rules change — check nj.gov/mvc before you go.