by KYW's Mike Dunn
Its often 'buyer beware' at used car lots, but Philadelphia City Council wants to change that.
A bill aimed at protecting you from being stuck with a lemon was approved by a Council committee on Monday.
The Mayor's consumer advocate is Lance Haver and he says if this becomes law, anyone buying a used car in Philadelphia should bring it to their mechanic to be checked within three days:
"You have to bring it to a licensed mechanic within 72 hours. If the car is not roadworthy, then you have a right to either have the defect fixed, or get your money back."
If the used car dealer won't do either, the city then has the right to suspend or revoke his business license. This applies even if the car was sold 'As Is."
Haver says you shouldn't have to worry about a used car actually functioning as a car:
"If you buy a coffeemaker you expect it to make coffee, a toaster to make toast. If you buy a car you expect to be able to drive it. No dealership should be allowed to sell a car that can't be driven."
Currently, Pennsylvania's Lemon Law applies only to new cars.
The Philadelphia measure now goes to the full Council for a vote, though its likely to be amended before that.
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