What counts as a lemon in Illinois

According to the Illinois Attorney General, to be covered by the Illinois Lemon Law a vehicle must either have a nonconformity that both substantially impairs the use, market value or safety of the vehicle and is not repairable by the dealer or manufacturer in at least four attempts for the same repair, or be out of service for a total of 30 or more business days.

Those conditions apply during the first 12 months or first 12,000 miles of ownership, whichever occurs first.

From the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, Auto Sales and Repairs page and Things You Should Know About Lemon Law, read November 11, 2026.

What the Illinois Lemon Law covers

The Attorney General lists what the Lemon Law does and does not cover:

From the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, Things You Should Know About Lemon Law (dated 12/23), read November 11, 2026.

How a Lemon Law claim works

The Attorney General explains that manufacturers establish an industry third party dispute resolution program to evaluate claims, and that information about it is in your vehicle ownership manual. To start, contact the designated manufacturer representative for your vehicle.

Lemon Law claims cannot be initiated directly through the dealer. The Attorney General warns that many consumers have lost their Lemon Law remedy because they waited longer than 12 months from the purchase date, the period in which complaints must be filed, believing they were proceeding through their dealer.

If the dispute board rules in your favor, you can expect either a replacement vehicle of like or similar value, or a buyback, less the value for miles driven. If you are dissatisfied with the decision, you may bring a civil action. Keep all receipts and repair records, including the purpose and date of each repair and how long the vehicle was in the shop.

From the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, Things You Should Know About Lemon Law, read November 11, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice; the Attorney General strongly urges consulting a private attorney before deciding on a course of action.

Can a used car be a lemon?

Not under the Illinois Lemon Law: the Attorney General lists used cars among the vehicles it does not cover. A used car can, however, have a history that matters. The Attorney General's used-vehicle guide says title history reports often show whether a car has been salvaged, returned as a lemon, rebuilt or otherwise damaged, and recommends getting title and history information before you buy.

The same guide notes that a car may have problems or defects not reflected in title or vehicle history reports, It also recommends an inspection by an independent mechanic.

From the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, Things You Should Know About Lemon Law and Consumer Guide to Buying a Used Vehicle, read November 11, 2026.

The Illinois 15-day/500-mile used-car powertrain warranty

The Attorney General says some used cars sold in Illinois by a dealer must come with a limited powertrain warranty for the first 15 days or 500 miles, whichever comes first. Among its exemptions, it does not apply to vehicles sold with more than 150,000 miles on the odometer or with a flood title or rebuilt title, or to vehicles that after the sale have been used for off-road use, racing or towing, subjected to abuse, misuse or neglect, or have not had regular maintenance. It also does not apply to a specific problem the dealer tells you about at the time of sale that you sign to acknowledge.

If the vehicle develops a substantial powertrain defect within 15 days or 500 miles, you must tell the dealer right away, no later than 2 days after the 15 days or 500 miles are over, by text, phone call, in writing or in person. The dealer must then either fix the problem or refund your money in exchange for the vehicle, and may not charge more than 100 dollars per repair for up to 2 repair attempts, or charge again if the second repair is for the same defect.

Powertrain, as the Attorney General describes it, includes the engine block, head, all internal engine parts, oil pan and gaskets, water pump, intake manifold, transmission and all internal transmission parts, torque converter, drive shaft, universal joints, rear axle and all internal rear axle parts, and rear wheel bearings.

From the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, Consumer Guide to Buying a Used Vehicle and FAQ for Dealers on the used car powertrain warranty requirement (815 ILCS 505/2L), read November 11, 2026. Exemptions and details are in the law itself.

How to protect yourself when buying used

Read the Buyers Guide. The Attorney General says the FTC requires dealers to post a Buyers Guide in every used car offered for sale that tells you whether the vehicle has any warranty coverage. When a vehicle is sold as is, there is no warranty or service contract offered. Get any promise to repair the vehicle or cancel the sale in writing on the Buyers Guide, and keep it after the sale.

Get an independent inspection. The guide recommends an inspection by an independent mechanic before you decide, even if the car has been certified, inspected by the dealer or is sold with a warranty or service contract.

Check the title history. With the VIN, you can get a title history report from a source such as the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, Carfax or AutoCheck.

From the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, Consumer Guide to Buying a Used Vehicle, read November 11, 2026.

Shopping used at Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center

Browse our used inventory, and ask to see the Buyers Guide on any vehicle you are considering. Our service department can help with maintenance after you buy: schedule service.

Our service department at 1200 E. Chicago St. in Elgin is open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed Sunday. Get directions.