Mississippi Lemon Law rules at a glance
The Mississippi Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act (Lemon Law) is Miss. Code §§ 63-17-151 to 63-17-165.
| Rule | What Mississippi law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Statute | Miss. Code §§ 63-17-151 to 63-17-165 | Miss. Code § 63-17-151 |
| Vehicles covered | Motor vehicles sold in Mississippi and used mainly for personal, family or household purposes; Demonstrators and lease-purchase vehicles sold with a manufacturer’s warranty | |
| Not covered | Motorcycles and mopeds; Off-road vehicles; Parts of a motor home added or assembled by the motor home manufacturer | |
| Protection window | The express warranty term or 1 year from original delivery, whichever expires earlier | Miss. Code §§ 63-17-157, 63-17-159(3) |
| Three Repairs Test | Substantially the same defect was repaired 3 or more times and continues; written notice and a final 10-working-day repair are required | § 63-17-159(3)(a), (5) |
| 15 Working Days Test | Out of service for repair of the defect a cumulative total of 15 or more working days, not counting routine maintenance (business days) | § 63-17-159(3)(b), (5) |
| Written notice | Before using the Act, give the manufacturer written notification of the need to repair the defect. It must immediately name a reasonably accessible repair facility, and has 10 working days after you deliver the vehicle to fix it. Zone or regional office addresses are listed in the owner’s manual. | § 63-17-159(5) |
| Dispute program first? | If the manufacturer has an informal dispute procedure complying with FTC Rule 703 and told you about it, you must use it before the refund or replacement provisions apply (§ 63-17-163). | |
| Deadline | Start an action within 1 year after the express warranty expires or 18 months after original delivery, whichever is earlier; or within 90 days after a dispute panel’s final action | § 63-17-159(6) |
| Usage deduction | miles driven by you × 20 cents a mile | § 63-17-159(1) |
Three repairs or 15 working days in Mississippi
Mississippi presumes a reasonable number of attempts when, within the express warranty or 1 year after delivery (whichever expires earlier):
Three Repairs Test
Substantially the same defect was repaired 3 or more times and continues; written notice and a final 10-working-day repair are required.
§ 63-17-159(3)(a), (5)15 Working Days Test
Out of service for repair of the defect a cumulative total of 15 or more working days, not counting routine maintenance.
§ 63-17-159(3)(b), (5)The defect must impair the vehicle’s use, market value or safety. The warranty or one-year period can be extended when a problem was reported but not repaired before it ended (§ 63-17-159(4)).
Notice to the manufacturer in Mississippi
Before using the Act, give the manufacturer written notification of the need to repair the defect. It must immediately name a reasonably accessible repair facility, and has 10 working days after you deliver the vehicle to fix it. Zone or regional office addresses are listed in the owner’s manual.
In Mississippi you must give the manufacturer written notice and a final 10-working-day repair opportunity.
Dispute program first. If the manufacturer has an informal dispute procedure complying with FTC Rule 703 and told you about it, you must use it before the refund or replacement provisions apply (§ 63-17-163).
Manufacturers must list their zone or regional service office addresses in the owner’s manual; send your notice there.
Mississippi’s deadline: the earlier of two dates
Start an action within 1 year after the express warranty expires or 18 months after original delivery, whichever is earlier; or within 90 days after a dispute panel’s final action (§ 63-17-159(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 |
| Sue by | September 15, 2026 | Start an action within 1 year after the express warranty expires or 18 months after original delivery, whichever is earlier; or within 90 days after a dispute panel’s final action |
How to file a Mississippi lemon law claim
- Report the defect during the warranty or first yearTo the manufacturer or its agent.
- Send written notice to the manufacturerTo the zone or regional office in your owner’s manual.
- Allow the final repairThe manufacturer names a facility and has 10 working days after delivery to fix it.
- Use the dispute procedure if you were told about itRequired before the refund or replacement provisions apply.
- Sue in timeWithin 1 year after the warranty or 18 months after delivery, whichever is earlier, or 90 days after a dispute panel’s final action.
Refund, replacement and the Mississippi deduction for use
| Remedy | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Refund | The full purchase price, including reasonably incurred collateral charges (dealer preparation, undercoating, transportation, towing, rental and title charges), less 20 cents for every mile you drove. |
| Replacement | A comparable vehicle acceptable to you, also less the allowance for use. The choice is yours. |
How the Mississippi deduction for use is calculated
miles driven by you × 20 cents a mile (§ 63-17-159(1)).
| Step | Math | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | — | $36,000.00 |
| Deduction for use | 15,000 miles × $0.20 a mile | −$3,000.00 |
| Refund before taxes, fees and other charges | Those are added under the rules above | $33,000.00 |
Mississippi’s 20-cents-a-mile deduction
The allowance for use is the number of miles you drove × 20 cents (§ 63-17-159(1)). It applies to both a refund and a replacement.
| Miles you drove | Deduction |
|---|---|
| 5,000 | $1,000.00 |
| 10,000 | $2,000.00 |
| 15,000 | $3,000.00 |
The refund covers the full purchase price plus reasonably incurred collateral charges: dealer preparation, undercoating, transportation, towing, rental car and title charges.
Working out your Mississippi deadline
| Warranty | Warranty + 1 year | 18 months | Sue by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | March 15, 2027 | September 15, 2026 | September 15, 2026 |
| 3 years | March 15, 2029 | September 15, 2026 | September 15, 2026 |
For most new cars the 18-month limit comes first. If you use a manufacturer’s dispute panel, you have 90 days after its final action.
Later owners in Mississippi
A person to whom the vehicle is transferred for personal use during the express warranty is a consumer. The Act covers vehicles under the manufacturer’s express warranty.
A person to whom the vehicle is transferred for personal use during the express warranty is a consumer. Motorcycles, mopeds and off-road vehicles are excluded.
To test your own dates and repair visits, see whether your Mississippi car qualifies with our checker.
Mississippi Lemon Law FAQs
What qualifies as a lemon in Mississippi?
A vehicle with a defect that impairs its use, market value or safety, not fixed after 3 repairs or 15 working days out of service within the warranty or the first year, after written notice and a final repair attempt.
How long do I have to file a lemon law claim in Mississippi?
Within 1 year after the express warranty expires or 18 months after original delivery, whichever is earlier, or 90 days after a dispute panel’s final action.
How is the Mississippi lemon law refund calculated?
The full purchase price plus collateral charges, minus 20 cents for every mile you drove.
Does the Mississippi lemon law cover motorcycles?
No. Motorcycles, mopeds and off-road vehicles are excluded.
Who chooses refund or replacement in Mississippi?
You do. The manufacturer must give you the option.
Sources
Checked on October 13, 2026. We re-verify Mississippi rules when the legislature, the courts or the agency change them. Read how we check every rule in our editorial policy.