Returning a Car: Quick Facts
- Most car sales are final. There’s generally no automatic “return period” for buyer’s remorse.
- Exceptions: State lemon laws for serious defects, or a dealer’s written return/exchange policy.
- If you can’t return it, you may be able to refinance, sell, trade it in, or transfer a lease.
Once a vehicle is purchased, returning it gets complicated, especially if it’s been used. Many drivers believe there’s a return period after buying a vehicle that allows them to return it for a full refund.
So, is it true? Is there a car return period? Here’s what to know.
Can I Return a Car I Just Bought?
Usually, no. Federal law doesn’t give buyers a universal right to cancel a car purchase after signing the contract. Some states have limited protections, but they typically don’t create a standard “cooling-off” return window.
Why is it hard? Once a car is titled/registered and driven off the lot, it’s typically considered used, and its value drops immediately, so most dealers treat the sale as final.
Why a Return Might Happen
- The car is a “lemon.” If a serious defect can’t be repaired after reasonable attempts, lemon laws may require the manufacturer to repurchase or replace the vehicle. Buyback rules vary by state.
- Financing falls through. If the dealer can’t finalize your financing after allowing you to drive off on the spot (“spot delivery”), you may be asked to return the car or accept new terms.
- The dealer offers a written return/exchange policy. Some dealers (and many online sellers) allow returns within a short window — but only if it’s in writing and you follow specified mileage and time limits.
Federal “Cooling-Off Rule”
This FTC three-day rule applies to certain sales made outside a seller’s normal place of business, like door-to-door sales.
Note: It generally does not apply to dealership car purchases, even if you regret it the next day.
What If My Car Is a Lemon?
Lemon laws exist in every state, but the details vary. In general:
- The problem must be serious, and it has not been fixed (or keeps returning) after multiple attempts.
- You usually must give the manufacturer/dealer multiple chances to repair the vehicle.
- There are time/mileage limits, often within the first year or two.
If You Suspect a Lemon:
- Save every repair order and invoice.
- Keep a dated log of symptoms, visits, and outcomes.
- Check your state attorney general/consumer protection site for your state’s exact rules.
What if I Got Ripped Off?
Start by calmly escalating.
- Ask to speak with the general manager or owner.
- Bring documentation, such as an ad or listing, buyer’s order, and financing paperwork.
- If there are clear issues, including misrepresentation, hidden fees, or falsified terms, consider filing a complaint with your state attorney general /consumer protection office.
Dealer Return Policy: What to Look for
If a dealer offers a return or exchange program, get the terms in writing and confirm:
- Time limit in days and mileage limit.
- Whether it’s a return with a refund or an exchange only.
- Fees for restocking or reconditioning, and what is nonrefundable.
- Condition requirements, such as no damage or modification.
Alternatives if You Can’t Return the Car
- Refinance to lower the payment or change the term, if your credit and rates allow.
- Trade in for a different vehicle, but expect a depreciation loss.
- Lease takeover, if applicable.
- Car sharing to temporarily offset costs, where legal and if insured.
Bottom Line
In most cases, you can’t return a car just because you changed your mind. Your best paths are a written return policy, a lemon law claim for serious defects, or financial alternatives such as refinancing, selling, or trading.
Check out Autotrader’s affordability articles when shopping for a new or used car.
Editor’s Note: We have updated this article since its initial publication. Doug Demuro contributed to the report.
What if an engine oil filter got clogged at 790 from metal shavings? I don’t want an engine with all those chips circulating around. Any part of that engine!
Hi Mitch, thanks for reading. By 790, do you mean the clog happened at 790 miles? That type of problem is unusual but something that the warranty would cover. Regardless, the dealer will not likely let you just return the car because of that issue. If the problem returned and there were multiple attempts to fix it, you might find a remedy through your state’s vehicle lemon law.
If auto trader accepts an ad especially from an out of state seller there should be a buyer’s protection clause in that contract similar to what eBay or other online sellers need to agree to. Without a return policy then no out of state sellers should be able to advertise in a local auto trader.
I changed my mind on a car that I just signed for and bought. Can I return it?
Hello , Glad you enjoyed the article. Please visit https://www.autotrader.com/car-news for more of our current articles!
“Upgrade your options” The section of the article left me thinking the writer was just coming up with whatever possible to make their article look bigger LOL
I bought a Hyundai Santa Fe not even a month ago and it has been giving me problems since i got it constantly having to take it back and forth to the dealership to have different things fixed now it won’t crank at all do you think I have the option to trade the vehilcle on another one?
can you change your mind on a purchase that you have not taken delivery on but signed a contract and given a deposit on
I brought back a new car today……they accepted though they retained the depreciation of $6000….but they would not return the $5000 taxes. Do they have the right to retain the tax?
i bought a used car it flunk inspection they have tried to fix and it flunked again how many chances do the get to fix it?
reading all your comments here makes me feel i am not alone ..hopefully there is a better way ..a court of where we can all file our complaints to these scuprulous car dealership
oh wow .. BUYERS beware..car dealership is up to get us WE NEED TO READ EVERYTHING WE SIGN AND CONFIRM .. I am pretty sure my salesperson told me that it as a 72 months loan ..but yesterday they said its 75 months .
Hello everyone !
I was lucky to buy a use car of 2016 from the dealer ” Florida Fine Cars” in Miami, FL.
I payed in full on April 4th 2019, on April 5th 2019 it stopped working, did not start, did not have any functions. I towed it back to the dealer on April 6 -2019. I want my money back. I do not want this car or any other from this dealer. Can Lemon Law be applied to this case?
Please support me
Thank you and have a great day
I need help. Please read. I purchased a one year old car at a dealer and at the time of signing papers the loan officers RUSHED me out of there. First she stated that she understands I might be very tired and that we should discuss the paperwork (after I signed it) the next day. I told her that I had time to get it done THAT SAME day, then she said “oh I forgot, my system is down, we must discuss this tomorrow” . I came back the day after not only to discuss the paper work but to state that I didn’t like the car and that I wanted something different. Now they are telling me I have to keep what I have. They are not taking my complaints serious either .
i have the same issue ..got the car Monday night signed and everything ..its not good to rush in buying..Nissan Edision NJ told me that i have a 72 months loan then when i came back the following day – i dont like the car ..too many little issues they said my loan is 75 months. Unfirtunately i was so tired didnt even bother to check what i signed ..it was late. they are happy to exchange but with higher monthly payments
I just purchased a car yesterday evening. As I was driving home, I noticed that the car was making a humming sound a sound that increased in intensity the closer I was to arriving at my destination. I purchased this car from what I believed to be a large reputable dealership. What are my options?
same here. though Nissan Edision said they will fix it .. call your dealer ..
Last month I bought car from dealer with in 30 days my car stuck engine so what can I do? Can I ask the dealer for refund my money? Thank you
i bought a car about a week ago and the 4th day it had a check engine sign and took it for service and they told me that it needs to be fixed needs a part for the transmision i bought my car with 5 miles.and i called the dealer and told them that i dont want it fixed thats why i bought a new car. i want the same model but new. what can i do about this situation… Win Chebrolet in carson, ca
Nephew bought a car from me (private sale) two days ago. Wants to know if we take it back, will service ontario refund the tax back to him if we return his money and he transfers back owership to us?
Hi there,
You can actually sue for that misinformation. They cannot sell you a car with false info in order to get you to buy it.
I bought a 2009 bettle it was pouring down rain and didn’t open or try the windows until the next day one didn’t work at all. The salesman didn’t tell me that it was broke. Shouldn’t they be responsible for fixing it, I mean come on now had I been told that it didn’t work you think I would have purchased it?
Depends on who you bought it from a dealership which sales many cars or some small hole in the wall dealership, the small dealership it would depend on the dealer, most of them would say ok sorry and get it fixed.. however from my understanding they aren’t required to as most cars only come with a 30 day warranty to include engine and drive train.
I think people are getting confused with the “Cooling Off” period laws from Australia.
Read the contract, make sure you understand the interest that is paid and that it will significantly make the cost of the car higher. If you have a trade in, know they will charge you for paying off the car (whether stated or not in the paperwork) you will have to sign for the amount to be paid off. This can also include taxes, titles, doc fees, and other miscellaneous things. If you feel the price is not what you negotiated at, then ask questions and be confident enough to walk away. Even if you need the car. Call your bank first, sometimes they have better interest rates than the dealers who shop around and pull your credit score over 10 times to find a suitable “loan”. Take your time, do your research, ask questions and be prepared to haggle and/or refuse to sign until you feel comfortable knowing what is going on!
any answers for these comments
What if you weren’t shown the total price you’d be paying? They just handed you the paperwork to be signed here & there & not the total? I just found out my total is $29,000+ on a ’17 Beetle…
I just purchased a 2014 chevy cruz yesterday and was under the impression I’d owe a little over 6k after all is said and done. When we went through paper work, total cost came to 11k with all the fees they never went over with me prior to buying. It’s ridiculous!
Always read the contract before signing. If the salesman pushes you to sign before reading the whole contract, don’t buy it!
Did you have a trade in?
Read the contract before you sign. You said they just handed you. It is in your power to read and accept and sign what they handed you. Half an hour of extra time reading the contract can save you s lot of money.
You can actual go back to the dealership manager with that one, I witnessed that once.