Lemon?

[boli2006]

Minnesota
We purchased a used vehicle from a private owner on June 29th and it is now July 1st. We drove the vehicle home (45 miles) and drove to Willmar (17 miles) and then drove to town (1 mile) and today we went outside and the car was gushing anitfreeze. We are thinking it's a water pump, but are not positive. We called the owner and he said he wasn't aware of any problems. He bought the car from a dealer in May and sold it almost one month later. Do we have any rights under the lemon law? Shouldn't a car last more that 2 days?
Any advice would be great!

Thanks

 

[racer72]

Lemon laws do not apply to used vehicles. You should have had the vehicle inspected by a certified mechanic prior to the purchase. If the vehicle was sold "as-is", you have no recourse. Google Caveat Emptor.

 

[JETX]

Do we have any rights under the lemon law?

No.

"The Minnesota lemon law covers new motor vehicles purchased or leased in Minnesota. It also covers used vehicles which are still under the original manufacturer's warranty. These cars must be used at least 40 percent of the time for personal, family, or household purposes. (Leased vehicles are covered by the law if the lease term is longer than four months.)

The first report of a defect must occur within the warranty period, or two years, whichever comes first. If you have continuing problems with the same defect, however, you can still make a claim until the end of the third year."

Shouldn't a car last more that 2 days?

Should it?? Hopefully.
Is the seller liable if it doesn't? Not in the case you provide.

 

[frickej4]

I wouldn't consider a water pump a disaster or an indicator of a lemon. If the problem is only a water pump, replace it and move on. Once you replace, watch for high temps and leaky fluid, and keep an eye on your oil level and quality(grayish oil) for water leakage (higher than normal oil level). This would indicate trouble. If none of these signs occur, you are probably fine.