California Lemon Law Buyback Calculator

If your vehicle has spent more time in the repair shop than on the road, California’s Lemon Law may require the manufacturer to buy it back. Use the form below to estimate what that buyback could be worth, then get a free case review from San Diego lemon law attorney Christian Scott. Every case is different, so the number you get is a preliminary estimate — not a guarantee — but it’s a fast way to see whether pursuing a claim makes sense.

How a California Lemon Law Buyback Is Calculated

Under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a buyback (also called a repurchase) is meant to put you back where you started financially. In plain terms, the refund adds up nearly everything you’ve put into the vehicle and subtracts a single deduction for the use you got out of it before the problem first appeared:

Your buyback estimate ≈ (everything you paid) + (collateral costs) − (mileage offset)

“Everything you paid” covers your down payment, every monthly payment you’ve made, and the sales tax, license, and registration fees tied to the purchase. “Collateral costs” are the out-of-pocket expenses the defect caused you — towing, rental cars, and any repairs you paid for yourself. The only major subtraction is the mileage offset, explained next.

The Mileage Offset — the Part Most People Miss

The mileage offset is the manufacturer’s credit for the miles you drove before you first brought the car in for the defect. It uses a fixed statutory formula:

Mileage offset = Purchase price × (miles before first repair ÷ 120,000)

Example (illustrative only): On a $40,000 vehicle first brought in for repair at 6,000 miles, the offset is $40,000 × 6,000 ÷ 120,000 = $2,000, which comes off the refund. Because the formula is tied to the mileage at your first repair attempt — not your current mileage — reporting the problem to the dealer early actually protects more of your potential refund. That’s also why the form asks for both numbers.

What’s Included in a Buyback

A qualifying buyback can return far more than just your payments. Depending on your situation, it may include:

• Your down payment and all monthly payments made
• Sales tax, license, and registration fees
• The remaining loan payoff on a financed vehicle
• Towing and rental car costs
• Out-of-pocket repair costs
• In some cases, a civil penalty on top — though that depends heavily on the manufacturer’s conduct and is never automatic

What reduces it: essentially just the mileage offset. You won’t always recover the full sticker price, but a qualifying buyback often returns the large majority of what you paid in.

Does My Vehicle Qualify?

Two questions matter most: was the vehicle still under the manufacturer’s warranty when the problem first appeared, and has the manufacturer had a reasonable number of attempts to fix it? There’s no single magic number of repairs — even a few attempts, or a car that’s been out of service for an extended stretch, can be enough. Used and leased vehicles can qualify too, as long as the issue arose during the warranty period. If you’re not sure, the estimate form above is the fastest way to find out, and the firm will tell you honestly whether you appear to have a claim.

Why Drivers Work With Scott Law Group

Scott Law Group is 5-star rated by clients on Google. Attorney Christian Scott spent years defending automotive manufacturers and dealerships before moving to the consumer side — so he knows how the other side builds its defense and uses that to his clients’ advantage. Clients consistently describe clear, no-pressure consultations and steady communication from start to finish.

Disclaimers

Estimate only. This tool provides a preliminary, non-binding estimate based on the information you enter. It is not a guaranteed buyback amount and is not legal advice.

Past results. Outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case. Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future matter.

Fees and costs. Scott Law Group P.C. handles California Lemon Law claims on a contingency basis. As the firm states, the Song-Beverly Act requires the manufacturer to pay the prevailing consumer’s attorney’s fees and costs, and the firm collects its fees directly from the manufacturer — so the consumer pays no attorney fees.

Frequently Asked Questions