Used Vehicles and the D.C. Lemon Law

Used vehicles are treated differently in D.C. The main lemon-law refund/replacement remedy is built around new vehicles within the 18,000-mile/two-year window; used vehicles fall under separate disclosure rules (§ 50-505), not the core remedy. But used buyers still have strong options.

What § 50-505 provides

D.C.’s used-vehicle provision (§ 50-505) focuses on disclosure — requiring dealers to disclose certain conditions and warranty information — rather than a refund/replacement remedy. A used car still within the original new-vehicle window (18,000 miles / two years from first delivery) might reach the main remedy, but most used vehicles won’t.

The real routes for used buyers

1. CPPA — the primary route for used-car problems involving misrepresentation or concealment: treble-or-$1,500/violation, punitive damages, and attorney fees (§ 28-3905). One of the strongest used-car remedies anywhere.
2. Magnuson-Moss — covers a used vehicle still under a written warranty (factory balance or dealer warranty), with fee-shifting.
3. § 50-505 disclosure — a basis to challenge a dealer who failed to disclose required information.

Common used-vehicle problems

• Undisclosed prior accident or frame damage.
• Concealed flood or salvage history.
• Odometer misrepresentation.
• Known mechanical defects withheld at sale.

These are CPPA claims — and D.C.’s CPPA is unusually powerful, making it the go-to for used-car deception.

”As-is” sales

A signed “as-is” disclaimer limits warranty claims but does not protect a seller who affirmatively misrepresented or concealed a material fact — CPPA liability can survive an as-is sale.

Bottom line

D.C.’s main lemon-law remedy excludes used vehicles, but the CPPA (treble-or-$1,500 + punitive + fees) and Magnuson-Moss are strong routes for used-car defects and deception. Get a free case review.

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