You bought a car, but you realize you don’t like the color or the features. Now you’re hit with regret after locking in the car payment and maybe an extended warranty. You already paid for it and signed the papers, so can you return the car you just bought?
Unless you have some form of policy or law that offers you a return option, the answer is none. You can’t return a car after you buy it within 24 hours, a week, in 30 days, or ever!
Once you have signed the documents and driven off the lot, the deal is generally considered final, but there are exceptions based on where you live, the policies and rules of the dealer you bought from. Or, if you purchased an outright lemon.
Let’s see what your options are here and how to relieve that buyer’s remorse!
Can I Return a Car I Just Bought?
In most situations, returning a car is not like returning a shirt, as there is no defined return timeframe. The Federal Trade Commission has a cooling-off rule, granted, that offers a 3-day option for certain purchases. But that does not typically apply to the purchase of a car, except for rare instances, such as purchasing at an off-site event.
If you buy from a dealership, they are not required to have return policies, and once a new car is driven on the road, its value depreciates significantly. They usually must resell it as a used car.
There are a few national chains, such as CarMax (10 days) or Tesla, that state their return policies, but you will have to sift through and understand the exceptions and details, since experiences can vary widely.
A Reddit user shared a story about how he got his Toyota 4Runner for cheap back in 2017. “A guy bought it, drove it for a week, then claimed he didn’t like it and tried to return it to the dealer,” shared the user.
“The dealer bought it back as used for $4k less than he paid. I paid the dealer $1k over what they bought it from him for and ended up with a new runner with 270 miles on it for $3k under MSRP.”
How Long Do You Have to Return a Car?
So, there’s a return policy on your car that you just bought. Great, but there’s no set timeframe in general when you can return it. California allows a 2-day cancellation for cars under $40,000, provided the buyer gives written notice to the dealer. And the buyer needs to have opted to buy the “Cancellation Option Agreement” at the time of sale.
Virginia allows 24-hour cancellations under certain circumstances, while Maryland has a scenario of a ‘buy back’ option if the buyer and dealership mutually agree to the vehicle’s repurchase during the first 60 days after delivery.
Similarly, in Ontario, Canada, a car return policy doesn’t exist, but there might be a 90-day right to cancel if your dealer fails to provide accurate information about the car’s odometer reading, make, model, year, or vehicle history.
In most states, including Texas, Florida, and Illinois, a cancellation period is nonexistent. Again, in these states, you’ll be subject to the dealership’s discretion and restocking fees, if applicable. Also, lemon law can take months (not days) to resolve if your car is defective.
What If the Car Is Defective?
If it’s a lemon, which means it has a major unfixable defect, you could receive a refund or buyback under state lemon laws.
Coverage is different in every state. For example, California provides protection against defects within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles. Texas allows a buyback after four attempts to repair or for 30 days.
To initiate a lemon law claim, you need to keep documented evidence of your repair attempts and contact the manufacturer (not just the dealer), which may be difficult.
What Happens If the Dealership Won’t Take My Car Back?
If the dealer says no, file a complaint with your state’s Attorney General or the Better Business Bureau. If the dealer defrauded you or overcharged you, you may be able to find a lawyer to help you, but beware that attorney costs can add up.
You may also consider a viable lemon law arbitration with the manufacturer if your car has defects.
Can I Return My Tesla After I Just Bought It?
Tesla has a return policy that states you can cancel your order up to 14 days after delivery of the vehicle, only if you entered into an agreement via online or over the phone.
So, you must do it as soon as possible by contacting your dealership and filling up a cancellation form. Once you do this, you’ll get your refund in full, or an amount might be deducted depending on how well you’ve handled the Tesla during the “cooling off” period.
Note that this policy may not exist in some regions or countries, so I suggest checking your purchase agreement or contacting Tesla directly to be sure.
Can You Return a Car If You Can’t Afford It?
Unfortunately, if your payments are too high, you cannot simply return your car. The lender will still expect to be repaid!
You can ask your lender about refinancing to reduce your car loan payments or, alternatively, a longer loan term, possibly lowering your monthly payments.
A last option is voluntary repossession, which will take away your car, but it can damage your credit report. You may still owe the lender a deficiency balance.
Learn more about How Late Can You Be on a Car Payment Before Repossession?
Can You Return a Car You Bought From a Private Seller?
Private sales are almost always final! Usually, you will have no cooling-off period or legal recourse unless you can prove fraud.
If possible, negotiate a policy beforehand for returning the vehicle, but do not count on it.
Expert Advice on Avoiding Buyer’s Remorse
Like I said earlier, purchasing a car is not like buying a shirt. It’s normal to have buyer’s remorse after buying anything from a phone to a car. However, you can avoid it by doing your homework on models you are considering, test-driving those vehicles, and assessing a budget to work within.
And when you do decide on your dream car, note these steps if you have to:
- Read the contract
- Ask about any return policies in writing
- Don’t rush it! Take your time on big decisions and sleep on it.
Don’t forget, if you lease the vehicle short-term, you can still test the car over time. This will allow you to work on commitment if you’re unsure about a specific car.
Financial Alternatives to Returning
So you can’t return it, now what? You could sell it privately to try to get more for it than a trade-in, or refinance it to lower your payment because you still like it.
Another option is to add aftermarket upgrades or opt for car detailing, so you may enjoy it a little more! All in all, if you are stuck with the vehicle, you have options to ease the pain.
| Option | What It Means | Pros | Cons |
| Sell Privately | List & sell the car yourself for market value | Higher return than trade-in | Time-intensive, potential hassle |
| Refinance Loan | Adjust loan terms for lower payments or duration | Reduces monthly burden | May extend debt, higher interest |
| Voluntary Repossession | Return the car to the lender, end payments | Relieves payment stress | Hurts credit, possible deficiency |
| Aftermarket Upgrades | Add features like audio or performance mods | Improves the enjoyment of the car | Costs upfront, needs expertise |
Final Say
I’ve felt buyer’s remorse after buying countless tech gadgets and car accessories, some of which were my impulsive purchases and could be returned easily. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy with a car.
I’d recommend not putting yourself in a position where you find yourself trying to cancel a car order. Do your research, go for a test drive, talk to several dealerships, and take your time to make up your mind.
