Massachusetts Lemon Law rules at a glance
The Massachusetts Lemon Law is Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 90, § 7N½. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation appoints the state-certified arbitrators.
| Rule | What Massachusetts law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Statute | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 90, § 7N½ | § 7N½ |
| Vehicles covered | Motor vehicles sold, leased or replaced by a dealer or manufacturer, including motorcycles; Leases of 1 year or more; Vehicles transferred during any express or implied warranty | |
| Not covered | Auto homes; Vehicles built primarily for off-road use; Vehicles used primarily for business purposes | |
| Protection window | 1 year or 15,000 miles from original delivery, whichever comes first | § 7N½(1) |
| Three Repairs Test | The same defect was repaired 3 or more times and continues or recurs; the manufacturer then gets one more chance of up to 7 business days | § 7N½(4)(a) |
| 15 Business Days Test | The vehicle was out of service for repair 15 or more business days in total; the manufacturer then gets one more chance of up to 7 business days (business days) | § 7N½(4)(b) |
| Written notice | Massachusetts does not require notice to the manufacturer before state arbitration. The manufacturer gets one final chance to cure, of no more than 7 business days, once a test is met. | § 7N½(4), (5) |
| Deadline | Request state-certified arbitration within 18 months of original delivery to require the manufacturer to take part | § 7N½(6) |
| Usage deduction | contract price × miles before the manufacturer accepts return ÷ 100,000 (motorcycles ÷ 25,000) | § 7N½(3) |
Three repairs or 15 business days in Massachusetts
Massachusetts law presumes the manufacturer had a reasonable number of chances when any one of these tests is met inside the protection window (1 year or 15,000 miles from original delivery, whichever comes first):
Three Repairs Test
The same defect was repaired 3 or more times and continues or recurs; the manufacturer then gets one more chance of up to 7 business days.
§ 7N½(4)(a)15 Business Days Test
The vehicle was out of service for repair 15 or more business days in total; the manufacturer then gets one more chance of up to 7 business days.
§ 7N½(4)(b)Massachusetts covers motorcycles, uses one of the shortest day tests in the country (15 business days) and does not require notice to the manufacturer before state arbitration.
Notice to the manufacturer in Massachusetts
Massachusetts does not require notice to the manufacturer before state arbitration. The manufacturer gets one final chance to cure, of no more than 7 business days, once a test is met.
Request Massachusetts arbitration within 18 months
Request state-certified arbitration within 18 months of original delivery to require the manufacturer to take part (§ 7N½(6)).
| Event | Date | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle delivered | Mar 15, 2025 | The protection window starts |
| Protection window ends | March 15, 2026 | Repairs after this date do not count toward the tests |
| Request state arbitration by | September 15, 2026 | Request state-certified arbitration within 18 months of original delivery to require the manufacturer to take part |
How to file a Massachusetts lemon law claim
- Keep every repair orderBusiness days out of service are counted from them.
- Give the final repair chanceOnce a test is met, the manufacturer gets one more attempt of no more than 7 business days.
- Apply for state-certified arbitrationWithin 18 months of original delivery, through Mass.gov.
- Attend the hearingThe arbitrator issues a written finding within 45 days.
- Collect the awardThe manufacturer must deliver the refund or replacement within 21 days, or appeal with a bond. Late payment can lead to double damages and daily fines.
Refund, replacement and the Massachusetts deduction for use
| Remedy | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Refund | The full contract price including trade-in credit, plus sales tax, registration, finance charges, dealer-added options and towing or rental costs, minus a use allowance and any cash award you accepted. |
| Replacement | The manufacturer may offer a replacement, but you have an unqualified right to reject it and demand a refund. |
| Fees and penalties | A prevailing consumer recovers attorney fees; a frivolous appeal or a failure to comply can double the award. |
How the Massachusetts deduction for use is calculated
contract price × miles before the manufacturer accepts return ÷ 100,000 (motorcycles ÷ 25,000) (§ 7N½(3)).
| Step | Math | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | — | $36,000.00 |
| Deduction for use | 15,000 miles × $36,000 ÷ 100,000 | −$5,400.00 |
| Refund before taxes, fees and other charges | Those are added under the rules above | $30,600.00 |
What happens if the manufacturer will not pay
| Situation | What the law provides |
|---|---|
| Award issued | Manufacturer must deliver the refund or replacement, or appeal with a bond, within 21 days |
| Appeal bond | The money award plus $2,500 for expected attorney fees |
| No appeal and no payment | A fine of $5,000 per day from day 22, up to $50,000 |
| Award upheld on appeal | Plus $25 per day the car was out of use, if no free comparable vehicle was provided |
| Frivolous appeal | The court doubles the total award |
| Failure to abide or appeal | At least two times actual damages under chapter 93A |
Motorcycles under the Massachusetts Lemon Law
Massachusetts covers motorcycles and uses a smaller divisor for them: the use allowance is the contract price × miles ÷ 25,000, instead of 100,000 for cars. On a $15,000 motorcycle returned at 2,000 miles, that is $1,200.
Massachusetts used cars have a separate law
Massachusetts covers a person to whom the vehicle is transferred during a warranty, but the term of protection still runs 1 year or 15,000 miles from original delivery. Used cars also have a separate dealer warranty law. The new car lemon law needs the term of protection. Used cars bought from a dealer may be covered by Massachusetts’ separate used vehicle warranty law.
Massachusetts also protects used-car buyers through a separate dealer warranty law and, for private sales, a 30-day cancellation right when the seller hid a known serious defect.
To test your own dates and repair visits, check a Massachusetts car with our free tool.
Massachusetts Lemon Law FAQs
What qualifies as a lemon in Massachusetts?
A vehicle with a defect that substantially impairs use, market value or safety, repaired 3 or more times or out of service 15 or more business days within 1 year or 15,000 miles, that is still not fixed after one final repair chance of up to 7 business days.
How long do I have to request lemon law arbitration in Massachusetts?
Within 18 months of the vehicle’s original delivery, to require the manufacturer to take part (ch. 90, § 7N½(6)).
How is the Massachusetts lemon law refund calculated?
The full contract price including trade-in credit, plus sales tax, registration, finance charges and dealer-added options, minus a use allowance: price × miles before the manufacturer accepts return ÷ 100,000 (motorcycles ÷ 25,000).
Does the Massachusetts lemon law cover motorcycles?
Yes. Motorcycles are covered, with a use allowance divided by 25,000 miles instead of 100,000. Auto homes, off-road vehicles and business vehicles are excluded.
Can I refuse a replacement car in Massachusetts?
Yes. The law gives you an unqualified right to reject a replacement offer and demand a refund.
Sources
Checked on October 13, 2026. We re-verify Massachusetts rules when the legislature, the courts or the agency change them. Read how we check every rule in our editorial policy.