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Westend61/Getty Images September 28, 2022 Rhys has been editing and writing for Bankrate since late 2021. They are passionate about helping readers gain the confidence to take control of their finances by providing clear, well-researched information that breaks down otherwise complex topics into manageable bites. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
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Besides buyer’s remorse, possible reasons to return your car include financial or mechanical issues. The dealership may be willing to work with you if you cannot make payments. With mechanical issues, whether you can return the car to the dealer depends on how and the terms and conditions of the car return policy. You got ripped off
If you feel like the car’s seller cheated you, you should consider meeting with the dealership manager. When you meet with the manager, bring documentation to corroborate your claim that you were wronged. For example, if you believe the dealer overcharged, present evidence of the vehicle’s fair market value from a reputable source (like Edmunds or Kelley Blue Book) to support your argument. Present your case to the manager calmly. Remember that since you’ve already signed the contract, your options are limited if the manager chooses not to honor your request. You may also: Contact your state attorney general’s office to discuss your options. File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Hire an attorney to sue the dealership. Leave a bad review on the dealership’s website. File a complaint with your state’s consumer protection agency or the Federal Trade Commission. Bankrate tip: To research whether you’ve paid an unfair amount, you can look up the value of cars with the same make, same model and similar mileage on or . Your car payments are too high
If you want to return your car because your monthly car payments are too high, you’ll have a more difficult time making the case to return the car. The dealership’s general manager could argue that you should have determined whether you could afford the monthly payments before purchasing the car. It’s up to the dealership whether to allow you to bring back the car and exchange it for something more affordable. Speak with the salesperson who sold you the car first. If that doesn’t work, contact the sales manager or the dealership’s general manager. Once you’ve exhausted those options, look into other methods to . your auto loan with a lower interest rate or a longer term can lower your monthly payment. Bankrate tip: Use an to see how much money you could save and compare different loan options. Your car is a lemon
To build a case for returning a car that doesn’t run properly, first gather documentation showing the mechanical problems you’ve experienced. You may need multiple trips to the dealer’s service department. Ensure your complaints are noted in detail on all repair orders. If the problem still hasn’t been fixed, you may determine your car is a lemon — a vehicle beyond repair. Since laws vary from state to state, you’ll have to research to see whether you can make a legitimate lemon law claim. In most states, lemon laws only apply to new vehicles with a serious defect impairing your ability to drive it. Other lemon law requirements that vary from state to state include the length of time after purchasing the car, the vehicle’s mileage and the number of times the dealership attempted to fix the vehicle. Upon a successful claim, you’ll be able to secure a refund or comparable vehicle exchange. Only seven states have lemon laws for used cars: Connecticut, California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico and New York. Limitations apply, and these laws may not provide much relief in your situation. Bankrate tip: You may be entitled to reimbursement of your attorney fees if you hired an attorney to help make your case. Be sure to keep track of your legal fees during the process. You changed your mind
Dealers do not generally find buyer’s remorse persuasive. Very few dealerships have a return policy. Once you sign the sales contract, you’re responsible for paying the note as promised. Although the FTC has a “cooling-off rule” — a rule where you have three days to cancel a sale made at your home, workplace or seller’s temporary location — a vehicle purchase is among its exceptions. Even if a dealership sells you a car at a temporary location, the rule still applies as long as they have a permanent location. Some states also have a “right to cancel” period that lets you return the car within a certain time frame without incurring any penalties or damage to your credit profile. However, the vehicle must be in the same condition as when you purchased it. Other limitations often apply. Bankrate tip: Try and avoid this scenario by researching ahead of time. Follow these for you before signing off on a new vehicle. Your dealer has a return policy
A few dealerships have return policies. For example, has a 30-day return policy. If you don’t like the car, you can exchange it for one you like or get a refund. In addition, some dealerships have exchange programs where you have a limited number of days to exchange the vehicle. Keep in mind that or other stipulations could prevent you from being able to turn the car in. If you can turn it in, you will likely have to pay the difference between the current value and what the vehicle is currently worth. Bankrate tip: Always get a dealership’s return policy in writing. That way, you’ll understand the terms and conditions and can navigate any attempt to deny your claim. How to avoid returning a car
If you want to avoid the difficult process of returning a car, you should properly prepare to purchase a car. Read car reviews on websites like , perform price research using Kelley Blue Book or Carfax, compare auto loan rates, create a budget to see and test-drive the vehicle. It’s equally important to research dealerships in advance by reading online reviews. Use sites like BBB.com to ensure dealerships have a good reputation and exceptional customer service. Alternatives to returning your car
Can’t return your car? You still have options. Sell it. By selling your car to someone else, you might be able to get out of being stuck with a car you don’t like. You might be unable to recoup the full amount you paid the dealer because a car depreciates as soon as it’s driven off the car lot. You’ll be on the hook for paying the difference between the dealership price and the price the buyer pays for the vehicle. Ask for voluntary repossession. If you can’t afford the monthly payments, you could call the lender and ask for a voluntary repossession. Although this would eliminate your monthly payments, you should think twice before taking this action. A lender can still report the repossession to the credit bureaus. Repossession negatively impacts your credit score, making it more expensive to take out a future auto loan. Refinance your auto loan. If your monthly payments are too high, you can by extending your term or securing a lower interest rate. Refinancing is a common tactic and won’t hurt your credit score as much as voluntary repossession. The bottom line
Before you purchase a car, spend some time researching the price of cars you like and reading the dealership’s return policy and car reviews. Failing to research could leave you stuck with a car. In most cases, you can’t return a car you just bought — most dealerships won’t allow it. If you’re unable to return a car, there are other ways to get rid of it. You can sell it or file a lemon law claim under certain circumstances. Alternatively, if you have buyer’s remorse due to high payments but want to keep the car, you can refinance the auto loan to lower the payments. Learn more
SHARE: Rhys has been editing and writing for Bankrate since late 2021. They are passionate about helping readers gain the confidence to take control of their finances by providing clear, well-researched information that breaks down otherwise complex topics into manageable bites. Related Articles