Last updated: December 8, 2024
Lemon Dodger Worksheet
Want to Avoid Buying a Used Lemon Car?
Before buying a used car, print out this “Lemon Dodger” worksheet to help you avoid problems BEFORE they occur.
| Lemon Dodger Worksheet |
|---|
| Vehicle make: |
| Vehicle model: |
| Vehicle year: (Find it on the stamped metal tag on the driver side door jam.) |
| Date of purchase: |
| Seller’s name: |
| Salesperson’s name: |
| Cash price of vehicle: (Found on sales invoice; does not include financing.) |
| KBB.com value of vehicle when purchased: |
| Additional charges and fees paid at time of sale: |
| Extended warranty/service contract: |
| Credit life insurance: |
| Credit disability insurance: |
| Price dealer gave you for trade-in: (If you traded-in a car for this vehicle.) |
| Is the trade-in value the dealer gave you the same price indicated on the sales invoice? |
| Did you owe money on the traded vehicle? |
| If you owed more money on the traded vehicle than is indicated as the trade in value on the sales invoice, what is the difference? |
| Did you remember to ask the dealer whether the car had been in any accidents? |
| Dealership response to above: |
| Did you remember to ask the dealer whether the car had a “salvage” or “reconstructed” title? |
| Dealership response to above: |
| Did you remember to ask the dealer whether the car had been in a flood? |
| Dealership response to above: |
| Did you remember to ask the dealer whether the car had been purchased by the dealer at an auction? |
| Dealership response to above: |
| Did you remember to ask the dealer whether the car had been purchased out of state? |
| Dealership response to above: |
| Did you remember to ask the dealer whether the car had been the subject of a claim by an insurance company for any reason? |
| Did you ask the dealer what documents they have to demonstrate the history of the car? |
| Did the dealership show you those documents? Where they complete? |
| Dealership response to above: |
| Did you ask the dealer to show you the warranty history for the car by showing you a computerized print-out from the original manufacturer? |
| Dealership response to above: |
| Have you asked the dealer if the car was ever returned to the manufacturer as a lemon? |
| Dealership response to above: |
| Has this car been a rental car or a demo car? |
| Dealership response to above: |
| Vehicle mileage: |
| Have you hired an ASE-certified independent mechanic to examine the car? |
| Name of mechanic: |
| Mechanic’s recommendations and comments: |
| Have you checked the vehicle’s title history on the Internet by using Carfax.com or Vehiclehistory.com? |
| Do the results of the title history differ from what the dealer told you and if so, how? |
| Did you make sure to test drive the vehicle for at least 5-miles? |
| Did you note any problems with the car’s appearance? |
| Did you have the dealer sign a “We Owe” sheet for any items discovered before you bought the car, which were to be repaired or replaced by the dealer? |
| Did you get a copy of the “We Owe” slip? |
| Have you returned your car to the dealer for problems the dealer promised to fix prior to purchase (written down or otherwise)? |
| Did you make sure to test drive the vehicle for at least 5 miles? |
Please check off the following items as you test them:
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| List all items which need to be repaired: |
| Have you found any documents in the glove box and/or other storage compartments? |
| Have you requested a copy of the vehicle’s warranty repair history? |
| Does your purchase include the balance of a manufacturer’s New Car Limited Warranty for your vehicle? |
| Does your purchase include the a manufacturer’s extended warranty or service contract? |
| Does it cover the entire car? |
| Does it cover the powertrain only? |
| Does it cover all parts and labor costs? |
| Name of warrantor (i.e. Ford ESP, GMPP): |
| How long is the extended warranty / service contract good for? |
| Where are you permitted to obtain warranty service under the extended warranty? |
| Service contract: |
Enjoy your purchase and save this information. You may need it one day! Read about your Lemon Law rights.