Potential Changes in New Jersey Used Car Laws

There are many obvious benefits to buying a used car. It's a much more economical decision, especially since new cars decrease in value as soon as they're off the lot.  But with the way that Jersey's lawmakers have been pushing to better cover used car buyers, browsing the used cars for sale in NJ is becoming an even more attractive option for drivers.

 The New Jersey Senate and Assembly introduced two new bills last month to better protect used car consumers in the state. The bills propose to extend the lemon law to cover pre-owned vehicles, so should a vehicle be materially defective, the buyer can potentially be fully compensated for the purchase. Any vehicle with a defect that significantly compromises the usability or safety within the specified time period will, under this law, need to be repurchased by the dealer as opposed to waiting for the dealer to make repairs and, in some cases, have the buyer be responsible for the costs.

If you're buying from a reputable used car dealer, this shouldn't be an issue – in any case, the law only covers abuse or damage caused by the dealer or the dealership's personnel. Regardless, it's great news for Jersey car buyers. Many buyers are wary to purchased pre-owned vehicles as they are concerned that they don't know what they're getting. Now they can have the peace of mind of knowing that they aren't liable for buying a faulty vehicle.

New car buyers would benefit from the bills as well, since they can now ask the manufacturer allow an immediate return of any vehicle with fewer than 24,000 miles that is defective.

The Recession's Effect on the Used Car Industry

Though the United States is no longer technically in a state of economic crisis, it's safe to say most of the population hasn't returned to their financial comfort zone exactly. This is especially true in New Jersey, which happens to be the 4^th most expensive state in which to live. If residents aren't packing up and moving, they're most definitely finding ways to budget, and you can probably see how this would affect the industry for used cars.

Gas prices are a huge concern, but what's an even bigger concern is whether or not we can afford the car or multiple cars per household that we need to live comfortably. Thus, fewer and fewer consumers are buying used just to save a few bucks. A car's rate of fuel consumption is just as important as the price of the car itself.

And, therefore, the demand for used cars has risen. It's getting harder and harder to find high-quality used cars. It was hard enough for inexperienced buyers to know if they were getting a reliable vehicle in the first place, but now, reliable used cars are leaving the lot just as quickly as they were put on there.

You might be tempted to look to classified ads or trading websites to get a good deal on a vehicle, but truth be told, private buying and selling is becoming so popular that it's not your best bet. People are getting more comfortable with the process, so when you couple that with the fact that you're likely to get a vehicle "as-is," and the diminishing number of reliable vehicles available, you're going to have a hard time finding a good car.

You've got a better shot by looking for used cars for sale in South Jersey at a reputable dealership, then forming a relationship with your dealers. That way, you can call them or have them call you when a car you're looking for comes in, and you can trust that you're getting a vehicle (and a warranty) that stands up to the cost.