This is a statutory deduction, often around $0.50 per 100 miles driven for a new vehicle.
Estimated Buyback Amount
Understanding Lemon Law Buybacks
Lemon laws are designed to protect consumers who purchase defective vehicles. If a vehicle has a substantial defect that impairs its use, value, or safety, and the manufacturer or its authorized dealer cannot repair it after a reasonable number of attempts, the consumer may be entitled to a remedy. This remedy often involves a "buyback," where the manufacturer repurchases the vehicle from the consumer.
What is a "Lemon"?
A "lemon" is a vehicle that has a defect that qualifies under your state's specific lemon law. Generally, a defect is considered substantial if it significantly affects the vehicle's:
Use: How well the vehicle performs its intended function.
Value: The resale or trade-in worth of the vehicle.
Safety: Whether the defect poses a risk to the driver or passengers.
The defect must typically occur within a specific time frame after purchase (e.g., within the first 12 months or 18,000 miles, though this varies by state) and remain unrepaired after a reasonable number of attempts.
What is a "Reasonable Number of Attempts"?
State laws define what constitutes a "reasonable number of attempts." Common criteria include:
Number of Repair Attempts: Usually 3 or 4 attempts for the same reported defect, or 1 attempt for a serious safety defect.
Repair Duration: The vehicle being out of service for repairs for a cumulative total of 30 days or more within the first year or 12,000 miles (again, varies by state).
It's crucial to consult your state's specific lemon law statutes for precise definitions and timeframes.
How is the Buyback Amount Calculated?
The buyback amount a consumer can expect is generally calculated based on the vehicle's original purchase price, with certain adjustments. While specific formulas can vary slightly by state and attorney interpretation, a common method is:
Buyback Amount = (Purchase Price - (Current Mileage / Original Mileage) * Purchase Price) - Deduction for Use
Alternatively, a more precise calculation often used:
Buyback Amount = (Purchase Price - Deduction for Use)
Where:
Purchase Price: The original price paid for the vehicle, including any taxes, title, and registration fees.
Deduction for Use: This is a critical adjustment. Most states allow the manufacturer to deduct a reasonable amount for the consumer's use of the vehicle before the first repair attempt, or before the defect was reported. This is often calculated based on mileage. A common statutory deduction is $0.50 per 100 miles driven up to the point the defect was first reported or repaired under warranty. Some states use a different mileage basis or allow for more complex calculations.
Current Mileage (or Mileage at Final Repair): The mileage on the vehicle when it was finally deemed irreparable or at the time of the final repair attempt.
Miles at First Repair (or Reporting): The mileage on the vehicle when the defect was first reported or when the first repair attempt was made under warranty.
Using This Calculator:
This calculator provides an estimated buyback amount based on common lemon law calculation principles. Please input the following:
Vehicle Purchase Price: The total amount you paid for the car, including taxes and fees.
Miles at First Repair: The odometer reading when you first took the vehicle in for the specific defect you believe makes it a lemon.
Current Mileage: The odometer reading at the time of the last repair attempt for the defect, or your current mileage if the vehicle is still within the repair period.
Duration of Repair Attempts: The total number of days the vehicle has been out of service for repairs related to the defect. (Note: This calculator uses mileage deductions primarily, as they are more consistently applied in buyback formulas, but duration is a key factor in qualifying for lemon law protection).
Number of Repair Attempts: The total number of times the vehicle was brought in for the same issue.
Deduction for Use (per 100 miles): A standard rate used by many states for mileage deduction. Enter 0.50 if unsure, but check your state's specific law.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Lemon laws vary significantly by state. For accurate legal advice and to understand your rights, consult with a qualified lemon law attorney in your jurisdiction.
function calculateBuyback() {
var purchasePrice = parseFloat(document.getElementById("purchasePrice").value);
var milesAtFirstRepair = parseFloat(document.getElementById("milesAtFirstRepair").value);
var currentMileage = parseFloat(document.getElementById("currentMileage").value);
var repairDurationMonths = parseFloat(document.getElementById("repairDurationMonths").value); // Although not used in this specific calculation, it's a key qualifying factor.
var numberReleases = parseFloat(document.getElementById("numberReleases").value); // Although not used in this specific calculation, it's a key qualifying factor.
var damageValuePer100Miles = parseFloat(document.getElementById("damageValue").value);
var buybackAmountElement = document.getElementById("buybackAmount");
var explanationElement = document.getElementById("explanation");
var resultElement = document.getElementById("result");
// Input validation
if (isNaN(purchasePrice) || purchasePrice <= 0 ||
isNaN(milesAtFirstRepair) || milesAtFirstRepair < 0 ||
isNaN(currentMileage) || currentMileage < 0 ||
isNaN(damageValuePer100Miles) || damageValuePer100Miles < 0) {
explanationElement.innerHTML = "Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields.";
buybackAmountElement.innerHTML = "";
resultElement.style.display = "block";
return;
}
// Ensure current mileage is not less than miles at first repair for deduction calculation
if (currentMileage < milesAtFirstRepair) {
explanationElement.innerHTML = "Current mileage cannot be less than mileage at first repair.";
buybackAmountElement.innerHTML = "";
resultElement.style.display = "block";
return;
}
// Calculate deduction for use based on mileage between first repair and current mileage
var milesDrivenForDeduction = currentMileage – milesAtFirstRepair;
var deductionForUse = (milesDrivenForDeduction / 100) * damageValuePer100Miles;
// Basic buyback calculation (Purchase Price minus deduction for use)
// Some states might prorate purchase price based on mileage, but deduction for use is more common.
var calculatedBuybackAmount = purchasePrice – deductionForUse;
// Ensure buyback amount is not negative
if (calculatedBuybackAmount < 0) {
calculatedBuybackAmount = 0;
}
// Display result
buybackAmountElement.innerHTML = "$" + calculatedBuybackAmount.toFixed(2);
explanationElement.innerHTML = "Estimated buyback amount calculated by subtracting a mileage-based deduction for use from the original purchase price. The deduction is calculated as: (" + milesDrivenForDeduction + " miles / 100) * $" + damageValuePer100Miles + " per 100 miles = $" + deductionForUse.toFixed(2) + ". Please consult with a legal professional for state-specific calculations and your rights.";
resultElement.style.display = "block";
}