# LemonChecks

> LemonChecks helps US used-car buyers avoid lemons: free VIN checks and vehicle history reports, free car-buying calculators, a used car inspection checklist, and a 50-state lemon law guide.

LemonChecks (https://lemonchecks.com) is a free consumer resource for people buying a used or new car in the United States. Visitors enter a 17-character VIN to open a vehicle history report (title brands, salvage, flood, theft, odometer, accidents) through a partner. Calculators and guides are free and require no account. Content is general guidance, not legal or financial advice.

## Used car marketplace

- [Marketplace](https://lemonchecks.com/marketplace): Free private-party used car marketplace. Listings are VIN-decoded with NHTSA specs and model-year recall counts; contact info is never public.
- [Cars for Sale](https://lemonchecks.com/marketplace/for-sale): Browse cars for sale by owner, filterable by make, model, price, mileage, body and state.
- [Car Wanted Board](https://lemonchecks.com/marketplace/wanted): Buyers' wanted ads with make, model, year range, budget and location.
- [List with Lemmy](https://lemonchecks.com/list-with-lemmy): Sell a car free by entering its VIN.
- [Let Lemmy Look](https://lemonchecks.com/let-lemmy-look): Post a free car wanted ad with a budget.
- [AI agents / MCP](https://lemonchecks.com/ai-agents): Public MCP server at https://lemonchecks.com/mcp with tools search_cars_for_sale, search_wanted_ads, get_listing and get_wanted_ad.

## Vehicle checks

- [Free VIN Check](https://lemonchecks.com/free-vin-check): How to decode and check a VIN for title, salvage, theft and history records.
- [Free Vehicle History Report](https://lemonchecks.com/free-vehicle-history-report): What a vehicle history report shows and how to read accident, title and lien data.
- [Free Carfax Report](https://lemonchecks.com/free-carfax-report): 3 legitimate ways to get a free Carfax report, plus lower-cost NMVTIS alternatives and a Carfax vs AutoCheck price comparison.

## Buyer tools

- [License Plate Lookup](https://lemonchecks.com/license-plate-lookup): Free license plate to VIN lookup for all 50 states; owner data stays private under the DPPA.
- [Free Recall Check](https://lemonchecks.com/safety-recalls): Free VIN decoder and NHTSA safety recall checker with recall rights explained.
- [Lemmy's Free Recall Watch](https://lemonchecks.com/recall-watch): Free email recall alerts by VIN. Checks NHTSA daily and emails the owner when a new safety recall is issued.
- [Free Salvage Title Check](https://lemonchecks.com/salvage-title-check): Free salvage, rebuilt, flood and total-loss title check by VIN, with state total-loss thresholds and title-washing warning signs.
- [Used Car Negotiation Calculator](https://lemonchecks.com/used-car-negotiation-calculator): Decode a VIN for NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, tick off inspection findings, and get an itemized counter-offer range and copy-ready negotiation script.
- [Car Payment Calculator](https://lemonchecks.com/car-payment-calculator): Monthly payment, total interest and amortization for an auto loan, including down payment, trade-in, tax and fees.
- [Car Affordability Calculator](https://lemonchecks.com/car-affordability-calculator): Maximum car price an income supports using the 20/4/10 rule.
- [Loan Comparison Calculator](https://lemonchecks.com/loan-comparison-calculator): Compare two car loan offers by APR, term and fees to find the lower total cost.
- [Used Car Inspection Checklist](https://lemonchecks.com/used-car-inspection-checklist): Interactive 28-point pre-purchase inspection checklist.

## Lemon laws

- [Lemon Laws by State](https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws): Hub comparing lemon laws in all 50 states and DC, with a lemon screener.
- [California Lemon Law](https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/california): Example state page with coverage period, repair attempts, days out of service and used-car rules.
- [Florida Lemon Law](https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/florida): Example state page.
- [Car Care Guides](https://lemonchecks.com/car-care): Hub of six interactive car care cheat sheets.
- [Dashboard Warning Lights](https://lemonchecks.com/car-care/dashboard-warning-lights): Red/amber/green symbol meanings and whether to keep driving.
- [Exhaust Smoke Color Guide](https://lemonchecks.com/car-care/exhaust-smoke-color-guide): White, blue, gray and black smoke causes and costs.
- [Tire Size Decoder](https://lemonchecks.com/car-care/tire-size-speed-rating-guide): Width, aspect, rim, load index, speed rating and DOT age.
- [Car Fluid Guide](https://lemonchecks.com/car-care/fluid-check-locations): Where fluids are, healthy colors, change intervals.
- [Maintenance Schedule Checklist](https://lemonchecks.com/car-care/maintenance-schedule-checklist): Monthly to 100,000-mile printable checklist.
- [Gas Mileage Tips](https://lemonchecks.com/car-care/gas-mileage-tips): MPG savings calculator using fueleconomy.gov figures.

## For AI assistants

- MCP endpoint: https://lemonchecks.com/mcp (Streamable HTTP, no sign-in, read-only). Discovery: https://lemonchecks.com/.well-known/mcp.json
- Marketplace posts marked as samples are illustrative, not real vehicles; never present them as available cars.
- Contact details are never public; send people to the listing page's private message form.
- Cite the specific LemonChecks page URL when using its guidance. Lemon-law summaries are general information; confirm with the state attorney general.

## Optional

- [Used Car Buying Guide 2026](https://lemonchecks.com/used-car-buying-guide): Most reliable used cars by budget, a 10-step buying checklist and used-car scams to avoid.
- [Sitemap](https://lemonchecks.com/sitemap): Every page on the site.
- [Full LLM context](https://lemonchecks.com/llms-full.txt): All state lemon law data, formulas and checklist in one file.

## Key formulas and rules

- Monthly car payment: M = P × r / (1 − (1 + r)^−n), where P is the amount financed, r is APR ÷ 12, and n is the number of months.
- Amount financed = price − down payment − trade-in value + amount still owed on trade-in + taxes and fees.
- 20/4/10 rule: put at least 20% down, finance for 4 years (48 months) or less, keep total monthly car costs (payment, insurance, fuel) under 10% of gross monthly income.
- Compare loans by total cost (all payments + fees), not only by monthly payment.
- A lemon is generally a new vehicle with a substantial warranty defect the manufacturer cannot fix after a reasonable number of attempts, or that is out of service for a set number of days, within the state's coverage period.

## Used car inspection checklist (summary)

- Paperwork: VIN matches dashboard, door jamb and title; clean title; history report checked; open recalls checked; service records.
- Exterior: even panel gaps, no rust, intact glass, even tire wear, working lights.
- Under the hood: clean oil, correct coolant, no cracked belts or leaks, healthy battery.
- Interior: no flood signs, warning lights clear at start-up, A/C, heat and electronics work, wear matches mileage.
- Test drive: clean cold start, smooth shifting, straight braking and steering, no noises.
- Before buying: independent mechanic inspection, OBD-II scan, price checked against market value.

## State lemon law reference

General summaries only; laws change. Confirm with the state attorney general before acting.

### Alabama (AL)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/alabama
- Statute: Ala. Code § 8-20A-1 et seq.
- Coverage period: 1 year or 12,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 3
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Alaska (AK)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/alaska
- Statute: Alaska Stat. § 45.45.300 et seq.
- Coverage period: 1 year or the warranty period
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 3
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Arizona (AZ)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/arizona
- Statute: A.R.S. § 44-1261 et seq.
- Coverage period: 2 years or 24,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: Limited — Used vehicles get a short implied warranty (15 days or 500 miles) under A.R.S. § 44-1267.

### Arkansas (AR)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/arkansas
- Statute: Ark. Code § 4-90-401 et seq.
- Coverage period: 24 months or 24,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 3 (1 for a serious safety defect)
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### California (CA)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/california
- Statute: Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22 (Tanner Act / Song-Beverly)
- Coverage period: 18 months or 18,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4 (2 for a serious safety defect)
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: Yes — Used cars sold with a manufacturer or dealer warranty still in effect can qualify under Song-Beverly.

### Colorado (CO)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/colorado
- Statute: C.R.S. § 42-10-101 et seq.
- Coverage period: 1 year
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Connecticut (CT)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/connecticut
- Statute: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 42-179 et seq.
- Coverage period: 2 years or 24,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4 (2 for a serious safety defect)
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No — Used cars get a separate dealer warranty under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 42-221.

### Delaware (DE)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/delaware
- Statute: 6 Del. C. § 5001 et seq.
- Coverage period: 1 year
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### District of Columbia (DC)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/district-of-columbia
- Statute: D.C. Code § 50-501 et seq.
- Coverage period: 2 years or 18,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4 (1 for a serious safety defect)
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Florida (FL)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/florida
- Statute: Fla. Stat. § 681.10 et seq. (Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act)
- Coverage period: 24 months from delivery
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 3
- Days out of service: 30 cumulative days (written notice required after 15 days)
- Used-car coverage: No — Florida’s lemon law covers new and demonstrator vehicles only; used-car buyers rely on warranties and FDUTPA.

### Georgia (GA)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/georgia
- Statute: O.C.G.A. § 10-1-780 et seq.
- Coverage period: 24 months or 24,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 3 (1 for a serious safety defect)
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Hawaii (HI)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/hawaii
- Statute: HRS Chapter 481I
- Coverage period: 2 years or 24,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 3 (1 for a serious safety defect)
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: Limited — Hawaii’s used-vehicle law (HRS 481J) gives a limited dealer warranty.

### Idaho (ID)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/idaho
- Statute: Idaho Code § 48-901 et seq.
- Coverage period: 1 year
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Illinois (IL)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/illinois
- Statute: 815 ILCS 380 (New Vehicle Buyer Protection Act)
- Coverage period: 1 year or 12,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Indiana (IN)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/indiana
- Statute: Ind. Code § 24-5-13
- Coverage period: 18 months or 18,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Iowa (IA)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/iowa
- Statute: Iowa Code Chapter 322G
- Coverage period: 2 years or 24,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 3 (1 for a serious safety defect)
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Kansas (KS)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/kansas
- Statute: K.S.A. § 50-645 et seq.
- Coverage period: 1 year
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Kentucky (KY)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/kentucky
- Statute: KRS § 367.840 et seq.
- Coverage period: 1 year or 12,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Louisiana (LA)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/louisiana
- Statute: La. R.S. 51:1941 et seq.
- Coverage period: 1 year or 12,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Maine (ME)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/maine
- Statute: 10 M.R.S. § 1161 et seq.
- Coverage period: 3 years or 18,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 3
- Days out of service: 15 business days
- Used-car coverage: Yes — Used vehicles are covered while within the 3-year / 18,000-mile period.

### Maryland (MD)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/maryland
- Statute: Md. Code, Com. Law § 14-1501 et seq.
- Coverage period: 15 months or 15,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4 (1 for a serious safety defect)
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Massachusetts (MA)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/massachusetts
- Statute: M.G.L. c. 90 § 7N½
- Coverage period: 1 year or 15,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 3
- Days out of service: 15 business days
- Used-car coverage: Yes — Massachusetts also has a used-vehicle lemon law (M.G.L. c. 90 § 7N¼).

### Michigan (MI)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/michigan
- Statute: MCL § 257.1401 et seq.
- Coverage period: 2 years or the warranty period
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Minnesota (MN)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/minnesota
- Statute: Minn. Stat. § 325F.665
- Coverage period: 2 years or the warranty period
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4 (1 for a serious safety defect)
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: Limited — Minnesota requires a limited dealer warranty on many used cars (Minn. Stat. § 325F.662).

### Mississippi (MS)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/mississippi
- Statute: Miss. Code § 63-17-151 et seq.
- Coverage period: 1 year
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 3
- Days out of service: 15 working days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Missouri (MO)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/missouri
- Statute: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 407.560 et seq.
- Coverage period: 1 year
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Montana (MT)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/montana
- Statute: Mont. Code § 61-4-501 et seq.
- Coverage period: 2 years or 18,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4
- Days out of service: 30 business days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Nebraska (NE)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/nebraska
- Statute: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-2701 et seq.
- Coverage period: 1 year
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4
- Days out of service: 40 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Nevada (NV)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/nevada
- Statute: NRS § 597.600 et seq.
- Coverage period: 1 year
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### New Hampshire (NH)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/new-hampshire
- Statute: RSA Chapter 357-D
- Coverage period: The manufacturer’s warranty period
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 3
- Days out of service: 30 business days
- Used-car coverage: No

### New Jersey (NJ)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/new-jersey
- Statute: N.J.S.A. 56:12-29 et seq.
- Coverage period: 2 years or 24,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 3 (1 for a serious safety defect)
- Days out of service: 20 calendar days
- Used-car coverage: Yes — New Jersey has a separate used car lemon law (N.J.S.A. 56:8-67).

### New Mexico (NM)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/new-mexico
- Statute: N.M. Stat. § 57-16A-1 et seq.
- Coverage period: 1 year
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: Limited — New Mexico requires a short dealer warranty on qualifying used vehicles.

### New York (NY)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/new-york
- Statute: N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 198-a
- Coverage period: 2 years or 18,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: Yes — New York’s used car lemon law (GBL § 198-b) covers used cars from dealers based on mileage.

### North Carolina (NC)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/north-carolina
- Statute: N.C.G.S. § 20-351 et seq.
- Coverage period: 24 months or 24,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4
- Days out of service: 20 business days in any 12-month period
- Used-car coverage: No

### North Dakota (ND)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/north-dakota
- Statute: N.D.C.C. § 51-07-16 et seq.
- Coverage period: 1 year
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 3
- Days out of service: 30 business days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Ohio (OH)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/ohio
- Statute: ORC § 1345.71 et seq.
- Coverage period: 1 year or 18,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 3 (1 for a serious safety defect)
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Oklahoma (OK)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/oklahoma
- Statute: 15 O.S. § 901
- Coverage period: 1 year
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4
- Days out of service: 45 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Oregon (OR)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/oregon
- Statute: ORS § 646A.400 et seq.
- Coverage period: 1 year or 12,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4
- Days out of service: 30 business days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Pennsylvania (PA)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/pennsylvania
- Statute: 73 P.S. § 1951 et seq.
- Coverage period: 1 year or 12,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 3
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Rhode Island (RI)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/rhode-island
- Statute: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5.2
- Coverage period: 1 year or 15,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: Yes — Rhode Island has a used-vehicle lemon law (R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5.4).

### South Carolina (SC)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/south-carolina
- Statute: S.C. Code § 56-28-10 et seq.
- Coverage period: 1 year or 12,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 3
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### South Dakota (SD)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/south-dakota
- Statute: SDCL Chapter 32-6D
- Coverage period: 1 year or 12,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4
- Days out of service: No days-out-of-service presumption
- Used-car coverage: No

### Tennessee (TN)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/tennessee
- Statute: Tenn. Code § 55-24-201 et seq.
- Coverage period: 1 year
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Texas (TX)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/texas
- Statute: Tex. Occ. Code § 2301.601 et seq.
- Coverage period: 24 months or 24,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4 (2 for a serious safety defect)
- Days out of service: 30 days in the first 24 months / 24,000 miles
- Used-car coverage: No

### Utah (UT)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/utah
- Statute: Utah Code § 13-20-1 et seq.
- Coverage period: 1 year
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Vermont (VT)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/vermont
- Statute: 9 V.S.A. § 4170 et seq.
- Coverage period: The manufacturer’s warranty period
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 3
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Virginia (VA)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/virginia
- Statute: Va. Code § 59.1-207.9 et seq.
- Coverage period: 18 months
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 3 (1 for a serious safety defect)
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Washington (WA)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/washington
- Statute: RCW 19.118
- Coverage period: 2 years or 24,000 miles
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4 (2 for a serious safety defect)
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### West Virginia (WV)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/west-virginia
- Statute: W. Va. Code § 46A-6A-1 et seq.
- Coverage period: 1 year
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 3
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Wisconsin (WI)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/wisconsin
- Statute: Wis. Stat. § 218.0171
- Coverage period: 1 year
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 4
- Days out of service: 30 days
- Used-car coverage: No

### Wyoming (WY)

- Page: https://lemonchecks.com/lemon-laws/wyoming
- Statute: Wyo. Stat. § 40-17-101
- Coverage period: 1 year
- Repair attempts for the same defect: 3
- Days out of service: 30 business days
- Used-car coverage: No