• Lemon laws in Georgia do not apply to used cars.car and us flag image by Jose from Fotolia.com
  
  Buying a used car in Georgia can be a risky investment, as it has few laws to protect the consumer if the car ends up being a "lemon." Anyone interested in selling used cars in Georgia must first have a license to do so, along with a registered place of business. Those who wish to buy or sell a used car in Georgia should always be aware of what laws apply.
  
  

The Consumer

• Every state, including Georgia, has their own version of the "Lemon Law." A Lemon Law acts as protection for consumers who buy a car, used or new, and realize after the fact that the car needs massive repair work, or cannot be driven at all. Georgia passed their Lemon Law in 1990. However, their law does not cover used cars. As a result, those who buy used cars in Georgia are not guaranteed protection if the vehicle ends up being a lemon. Dealers may sell used cars "as is," which means that once they are driven off the lot, the dealer is not responsible for any type of maintenance the vehicles may require. Used car dealers in Georgia also are not required to offer a warranty to the consumer when she purchases a used vehicle.
  
  

The Dealer

• Under Georgia law, the Governor is responsible for forming a division of nine members to run Georgia's Used Motor Vehicle Division. Under the guidelines of the division and Georgia law, it is illegal for anyone to sell used cars without first obtaining a license to do so. If a used car dealer obtains an invalid license, or violates any of the rules outlined by the Georgia State Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers, the Used Motor Vehicle Division has the right to revoke the license and issue fines.
  
  

The Rules

• Used car dealers in Georgia, once they have a valid license to do business, must follow certain rules and regulations. For example, any used car dealer in Georgia may only sell cars outside of their registered place of business three times during the course of any given year. If a used car dealer does wish to sell cars at a temporary site, he must first obtain a permit to do so from the Board and give 60 days prior notice. The used car dealer must also supply the Board with certain information, including where the temporary site will be located, and what the hours of operation will be. Any used car dealer who wishes to obtain a temporary site permit must pay a $100 fee.