Mileage Calculation: The usage fee is based on when the defect first occurred.
Total Gross Recovery (Price + Fees + Interest + Incidentals):$0.00
Less: Mileage Usage Deduction:-$0.00
Estimated Total Buyback Value:$0.00
*Note: If you have an active loan, the lender is paid off first from this total. You receive the remaining equity.
function calculateBuyback() {
// 1. Get Input Values
var vehiclePrice = parseFloat(document.getElementById('vehiclePrice').value) || 0;
var taxesFees = parseFloat(document.getElementById('taxesFees').value) || 0;
var financeCharges = parseFloat(document.getElementById('financeCharges').value) || 0;
var incidentalCosts = parseFloat(document.getElementById('incidentalCosts').value) || 0;
var milesAtPurchase = parseFloat(document.getElementById('milesAtPurchase').value) || 0;
var milesAtDefect = parseFloat(document.getElementById('milesAtDefect').value) || 0;
// 2. Validation
if (vehiclePrice <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid Vehicle Price.");
return;
}
if (milesAtDefect < milesAtPurchase) {
alert("Mileage at first repair cannot be lower than mileage at purchase.");
return;
}
// 3. Logic: Total Cash Paid/Payable
// The manufacturer generally refunds the price of the car, official fees, plus interest paid and incidentals.
var grossRecovery = vehiclePrice + taxesFees + financeCharges + incidentalCosts;
// 4. Logic: Mileage Usage Deduction
// Formula Standard (CA Song-Beverly): (Miles Driven Before Defect / 120,000) * Cash Price of Vehicle
// Note: Miles driven is (Defect Miles – Purchase Miles).
var milesDriven = milesAtDefect – milesAtPurchase;
var denominator = 120000; // Standard legal denominator for usage calculation
// The usage offset is usually calculated against the Cash Price (vehiclePrice), not including taxes/fees in the multiplier base.
var usageDeduction = (milesDriven / denominator) * vehiclePrice;
// 5. Logic: Net Result
var estimatedBuyback = grossRecovery – usageDeduction;
// 6. Display Results
document.getElementById('resultsArea').style.display = 'block';
// Format Currency
var formatter = new Intl.NumberFormat('en-US', {
style: 'currency',
currency: 'USD',
});
document.getElementById('resGross').innerText = formatter.format(grossRecovery);
document.getElementById('resUsage').innerText = "-" + formatter.format(usageDeduction);
document.getElementById('resTotal').innerText = formatter.format(estimatedBuyback);
}
Understanding the Ford Buyback Calculation
Whether you own a Ford F-150, Explorer, Mustang Mach-E, or Focus, dealing with a "lemon" vehicle can be frustrating. A Ford buyback—often executed under state Lemon Laws (such as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act in California)—is a process where the manufacturer repurchases your defective vehicle.
This calculator estimates the potential repurchase amount based on standard Lemon Law formulas. The final offer from Ford Motor Company may vary depending on your specific state laws and negotiations.
The Repurchase Formula
The core formula used by manufacturers and courts to determine a buyback amount is fairly standard:
Total Vehicle Cash Price: This is the price listed on your purchase contract before any rebates or trade-in allowances are applied.
Collateral Charges: The manufacturer must refund sales tax, registration fees, title fees, and other official government fees.
Finance Charges: If you financed the vehicle, the interest you have paid to the bank up to the point of the buyback is usually refundable.
Incidental Damages: These are out-of-pocket expenses caused by the defect, such as towing charges, rental car fees (if Ford didn't provide one), or repair costs you paid yourself.
The Usage Deduction (Mileage Offset)
The most confusing part of a buyback calculation is the "Usage Deduction." Manufacturers are allowed to charge you for the time you drove the vehicle "trouble-free."
The standard formula for this deduction is:
(Miles Driven Prior to First Repair Attempt / 120,000) × Cash Price of Vehicle
Example: If you bought a Ford Bronco for $50,000 and the transmission failed at 12,000 miles:
12,000 miles / 120,000 = 0.10 (10%)
10% of $50,000 = $5,000 Usage Deduction
This $5,000 would be subtracted from your total refund.
What About My Loan?
If you still owe money on your Ford, the buyback check is not sent entirely to you. Ford will first pay off the remaining balance of your loan directly to the lender. You will receive a check for the remaining equity (your down payment + principal payments made + interest refund – usage deduction).
Common Ford Lemon Law Issues
This calculator is relevant for owners experiencing persistent defects, including but not limited to:
10R80 Transmission issues in F-150s and Mustangs.
PowerTrain malfunctions in Ford Explorers.
Electrical and battery system failures in Mustang Mach-E or F-150 Lightning.
DPS6 "PowerShift" transmission shuddering in older Focus and Fiesta models.