Say you’ve recently purchased a new car, and you decide soon after signing the papers that you don’t want it after all. Is it too late to change your mind? Can you reverse the process of buying a car? We’ll help you answer that question by explaining whether it’s really possible to "return" a car like you can return a pair of shoes or a sweater that doesn’t fit.
Usually Not…
Unfortunately, most car sales are final, and that means you can’t return a car like you can return most retail items. There are many reasons for this. Most importantly, a dealer isn’t obligated to take a "return" because signing the papers essentially confirmed that you were certain you wanted the car. There are other issues, too. If you’ve financed the car, it can be very complicated to unwind the deal with the bank or lending institution. In some cases, the paperwork has already been sent to your local Department of Motor Vehicles, which makes it even harder. Also, if you wait a few days to ask for the return, it’s likely that you’ve already put some miles on your new car, which could affect the vehicle’s value. Find a new car for sale near you
…But It’s Up to the Dealer
With that said, some dealers will allow you to return a car. Usually, this only happens in a few unusual circumstances. For example, if a dealer offers a return policy, you can typically return a vehicle if you meet the dealer’s conditions. A dealer may say that you must return the car within a week, for instance, or after no more than 500 miles have been added to the odometer.
Some dealerships will also allow you to return a car if you decide to go for a different one instead. In this case, the dealer records a sale either way — so if you return the car quickly enough, they might be willing to allow it. For example, if you drive off the lot in a green Camry, then decide you actually want a red one, the dealer might be willing to make it work — though you may end up paying a little extra for the inconvenience.
Trade-Ins Make It Harder
In nearly all situations, you won’t be able to get back your trade-in, so it’s important to be sure you’re satisfied with the deal you’re making when you sign over the papers to your old car. Dealers don’t usually resell trade-ins themselves. Instead, dealers usually take trade-ins to auction for other dealers to buy. Once that has happened, your car is gone, so you shouldn’t come back after a few days hoping to reverse the deal and get your old car back.
In most situations, buying a car is a final decision, so we suggest that you mare sure you’re positive you want the car you’re choosing before you sign the papers.
Related Car Shopping Articles:
- Buying a Car: Is There a Return Period?
- What’s More Important When Buying a Car: Miles or Age?
- Leasing a Car: The Drawbacks of a Zero-Down Lease
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated for accuracy since it was originally published.
Yes, I would like to know this also!
What if I left a down payment with the dealer and signed financial agreements with a credit union but never picked up the car from the dealership or signed any agreements with the actual dealership? Can I walk away? This is my first time buying a car so I’m not sure how this works.
I purchased new vehicle couple of months ago. The payment is very high and I’m now wishing that I had “leased” it instead to avoid such a high payment. Is this still possible?
I brought a used car and driving it home I could feel every bump in the road it was like riding a bucking horse I try giving the car back but no such luck now I am stuck with a car I hate is there anything I can do,
What if u just paid for the car but havent drove the car out the lot due to it being in the shop for “reasons” can i ask to pull out on car deal
I just bought a car but now I have a better job and want to upgrade. Is it possible to exchange this car for a better one for a higher payment, of course…how would that work? Its not a lease…
What if the dealer outright lied to you about how much the payments were going to be… I was paying $387 a month the dealer put me in another vehicle and said the payments per month were less than what i was paying before… when my first payment came out of the bank it was over double the amount he had told me.
Usually you can’t really do anything about that. By signing the contract you basically said you agreed.
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The customer has the ultimate power to walk away at any time, you’re not “forced” into anything.
I bought a 2017 truck last week and 4 days after the back tires were flat and a lot of sensors on. I request flat cancel with Chapman dodge Las Vegas and the dealer refused to do it.
Check the lemon laws for your state.
Here’s what usually happens…….the dealership won’t take the car back a majority of the time. They WILL offer to put you in a different car, that costs more than the one you don’t want anymore. On the other hand, there are lemon laws in certain states, so…if you purchase a car and it winds up breaking down right away, you do have recourse. They cannot force you to keep a car that is clearly a pos. That being said, if you’ve just purchased a new car, you’re pretty much f’d. You’re pretty much stuck. Most dealerships will argue that you knew what you were doing……and, of course, they can always bring up something on the sales contract that…..let’s be honest…You Didn’t Read all the way through….so they’ve got you by the short and curlies.
never took possesion of car. and decided not to get it. no money has yet change hands , just a promise to do at time of picking upcar to make it final. but change my mind. am I forced to purchase that car.
I bought a car six weeks ago and I got taken for too much money the car is not worth what I paid and I have tried to trade it in but they said it would cost me $200 dollars more per month, the dealer I bought it from will not buy it back but they will put me in another car for more! What can I do?
I bought a car because mine was having big problems, it wasn’t what I wanted but I figured I’d get used to it. I didn’t the dealer took it back and I got another one. But because I had it 2 months that would change the carfax report and I put 200 miles on it. So they added a few thousand to the loan I have now.I feel like a jerk
What if you agree to trade in your car but find out it’s a total loss from your insurance company. I still own the title and I want the cash settlement from my insurance company. Can I back out of that deal? I still leased a new car.
There needs to be a law put in place to protect buyer’s also because if I purchased a car 19 days ago I should not be at the shop with it…right $17,000 dollars +….come on..
You would be entitled to a full backout under the lemon law if your State has one.
I traded my 2013 charger for a 2018 jeep Cherokee. I had to give them 400 dollars and my car. I want my car back two days later and they want to to pay 6000 dollars to get it back Is this legal How do I get my car back
Brooklyn Mitsubishi dealership lies to me. they gave me a loan for lancer $42000. it’s unbelievable I have to pay 72 months $582 for 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer. in a real car, the cost is $20000. I want to sue or just cancel the agreement.
I’m in a situation that I was pressured into getting a car. I signed but didn’t give them the down payment or proof of insurance and never took the car of the lot. Can I back out of the purchase?
Hi I am in the same situation have you gotten a response to your situation?
What rights do I have after buyin the car that I drive the car then two back tyre’s were not in good condition and only realised after 2 weeks of purchase. Will the car dealer refund me or not?
Do not go to this car company and buy any cars from them they are all teeth the name of the car company is carz4you in Hollywood they are all teeth do not go to the car company
I buy a car from a dealership and I didn’t even get to drive the car not even for one day the car break down the same evening with me I take back the car to the dealership they will not refund back my money or give me a different car now what do I need to do to get my money
So im in a situation where they gave me the car stating that I was approved for financing. Two days later the bank rejects my loan and now idk what to do because they dealership refuses to take the car back. Like it’s so confusing and frustrating because who’s paying for it then if the bank won’t release them their money?
What if I don’t have the car yet? I signed the agreement, but they need to transfer the car from another lot? Can I still back out if I don’t have the vehicle in my possession?
did you get an answer to this? in similar predicament
what if i put money down on a used car did not sigh any paperwork yet, can i get my money back. this also happened at my house not at the dealership.
What if I came to the dealer and expressed to them clearly that I want a particular car and they seem to overlook what I said, and instead entice me into choosing a similar car, but of a different color and model..Say an EX instead of a SX, because it’s not available for what ever reasons. Then later, they actually do get that car I really wanted?