Enter the price listed on your purchase contract, including factory options.
Mileage when you first took the car in for the defect.
Towing, rental cars, or repairs paid out of pocket.
Base Repurchase Amount:$0.00
Usage Deduction (Offset):-$0.00
Estimated Total Settlement:$0.00
*This estimation uses the standard 120,000-mile usage divisor formula common in state lemon laws (like California).
function calculateLemonLaw() {
// Get input values
var cashPrice = parseFloat(document.getElementById("cashPrice").value);
var deliveryMiles = parseFloat(document.getElementById("deliveryMiles").value);
var repairMiles = parseFloat(document.getElementById("repairMiles").value);
var collateralCosts = parseFloat(document.getElementById("collateralCosts").value);
var incidentals = parseFloat(document.getElementById("incidentals").value);
// Validation
if (isNaN(cashPrice) || cashPrice <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid Total Cash Price.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(deliveryMiles) || deliveryMiles < 0) {
deliveryMiles = 0;
}
if (isNaN(repairMiles) || repairMiles < 0) {
alert("Please enter the mileage at the first repair attempt.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(collateralCosts)) collateralCosts = 0;
if (isNaN(incidentals)) incidentals = 0;
// Logic Check
if (repairMiles < deliveryMiles) {
alert("Mileage at first repair cannot be lower than mileage at delivery.");
return;
}
// 1. Calculate Attributable Use Miles
var attributableMiles = repairMiles – deliveryMiles;
// 2. Calculate Usage Deduction (Offset)
// Formula: (Cash Price * Attributable Miles) / 120,000
// Note: The denominator (120,000) is the standard legislative figure for vehicle lifespan in many Lemon Laws (e.g., California Song-Beverly Act).
var usageDeduction = (cashPrice * attributableMiles) / 120000;
// 3. Calculate Base Amount (Price + Taxes/Fees + Incidentals)
// This is the "Gross" amount before deduction.
var baseAmount = cashPrice + collateralCosts + incidentals;
// 4. Calculate Final Settlement
var finalSettlement = baseAmount – usageDeduction;
// Edge case: Settlement cannot be negative
if (finalSettlement < 0) {
finalSettlement = 0;
}
// Display Results
document.getElementById("baseAmountDisplay").innerText = "$" + baseAmount.toLocaleString('en-US', {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById("offsetDisplay").innerText = "-$" + usageDeduction.toLocaleString('en-US', {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById("finalSettlementDisplay").innerText = "$" + finalSettlement.toLocaleString('en-US', {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById("resultSection").style.display = "block";
}
Understanding Your Lemon Law Buyback Rights
Dealing with a defective vehicle is frustrating, but consumer protection laws—commonly known as Lemon Laws—provide a legal remedy. If your vehicle is deemed a "lemon," the manufacturer may be required to repurchase it from you. This Lemon Law Buyback Calculator helps you estimate the potential settlement value based on standard statutory formulas, particularly those modeled after California's strict consumer protection standards.
How is the Buyback Amount Calculated?
A Lemon Law repurchase is not simply a refund of your current loan balance. It is a reimbursement of the actual money you have invested in the vehicle, minus a specific deduction for the time you drove the car trouble-free. The core components of the calculation are:
Vehicle Cash Price: The total price of the vehicle as listed on your purchase contract, excluding finance charges.
Collateral Charges: This includes sales tax, registration fees, license fees, and other official fees paid to the DMV.
Incidental Damages: Reasonable costs you incurred due to the defect, such as towing charges, rental car fees, or repair costs paid out of pocket.
The Mileage Offset (Usage Deduction) Formula
The most confusing part of a lemon law buyback for many consumers is the "Usage Deduction," also known as the mileage offset. Manufacturers are allowed to deduct an amount from your refund to account for the value of the vehicle you "used" before the defect became apparent.
The standard formula used in this calculator (based on the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act) is:
(Cash Price × Mileage at First Repair) / 120,000
In this formula, 120,000 represents the statutory life expectancy of the vehicle in miles. The Mileage at First Repair refers to the number of miles you drove the vehicle before the first attempt to fix the serious defect. This is why reporting defects early is crucial—the lower the mileage at the first repair attempt, the smaller the deduction from your refund.
What Happens to My Loan?
The Estimated Total Settlement calculated above represents the total amount the manufacturer is responsible for paying. This amount is usually split into two checks:
Payoff to Lender: The manufacturer pays the remaining balance of your loan directly to your finance company.
Refund to You: Any remaining funds after the loan is paid off are sent to you. This essentially reimburses your down payment and the monthly payments you have made so far.
If you have negative equity from a previous trade-in that was rolled into your current loan, this amount is typically not covered by the manufacturer and remains your responsibility.
Common "Lemon" Criteria
While laws vary by state, a vehicle is generally presumed to be a lemon if, within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles:
The manufacturer has made two or more attempts to repair a warranty problem that results in a condition that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury.
The manufacturer has made four or more attempts to repair the same warranty problem.
The vehicle has been out of service for repair for more than 30 cumulative days.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate based on common statutory formulas. Lemon laws vary significantly by state. Deductions for aftermarket items, physical damage, or negative equity may apply. Consult with a qualified Lemon Law attorney for legal advice regarding your specific situation.