​The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act is commonly known as the Lemon Law, but actually provides much broader consumer protections than just for vehicles.  It covers all manner of new consumer goods that are used, bought, or leased primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. Consumer goods include furniture, household appliances, home electronic products, assistive devices for individuals with disabilities, and 5th wheels, among others.

There's this thing that shady car dealer's like to do - it's called the Yo-Yo scam.  A dealer sells you a car but then calls you back for one reason or another and asks for more money or to sign a new contract or to return the car.  At this point, you have become attached to the car and feel like you have no other choice but to do what the dealer wants.  

The dealer never cut the string between you. He releases you from his lot only to snap you right back before you get too far away. Yo-Yo.

Just yesterday I met with a nice couple who bought a used car and the dealer told them they were financed, but they weren't. After two weeks, the dealer called and said he needed another $1,500 to get them financed.   They asked the dealer to take the car back, but surprise, the dealer said he couldn't. (This is a big fat lie.)

After two months without financing, the dealer finally asked for the car back, but said they would have to get their down payment from the lender.  What???  There is no lender! (Another big fat lie.)

The whole point of this yo-yo scam was to take the buyer's down payment and as much money after that as possible, and then take the car back and keep their money.  I've seen dealer's run this scam with the same car over and over again, stealing money from hard working people without a thought as to the hardship they are causing.

1. If the dealer calls you after the sale and wants something more, you have the right to say no.
2. If the dealer wants you to sign a new contract, you have the right to say no.
3. If the dealer withholds your car registration or title until you pay more money, you have the right to say no.
4. If the dealer can't get you financing and takes the car back, he is required to give you all of your money back.

If you are a victim of a yo-yo scam, I encourage you to report the dealer to your local DMV Investigations Unit. They will investigate the dealer and have the authority to put them out of business if they repeatedly violate the law.  They can encourage the dealer to pay you back.  If the dealer doesn't, then contact an auto sales fraud or lemon law attorney for help.

​When you buy a used car, a car dealer is required to give you a "Buyers Guide" to inform you whether the car is being sold with or without a dealer warranty.  If the "AS IS" box is checked, then the dealer is not providing a warranty for the car.  If the "DEALER WARRANTY" box is checked then the dealer is providing a warranty for the car for the length of time and/or miles stated on the Buyers Guide.   

However, if you buy an “As-Is” car from a dealer, the sale really is not “As-Is.”  “As-Is” means the dealer is not giving you an express warranty for the condition of the car, and the car does not come with any implied warranties.  Essentially this means that if the car has mechanical troubles, the dealer has no obligation to fix them.

But, a dealer must always sell cars that meet certain minimum requirements. It must be safe, and it must work (get you from point A to point B).

Every used car dealer is required to perform a safety inspection of each car it sells. This includes working brake and head lights, horn, wipers, seat belts, adequate brakes, adequate tire tread, etc.

If your car has any safety defects, you may have the right to ask the dealer to repair them or buy back your car.