Buzz
Buying a car—whether new or pre-owned—can be a stressful task. Opt for new, and you may face surprise charges and overpriced extras. Choose used, and you may wonder if your car will break down after just a few miles.
In the case of used cars, we often call defective ones 'lemons.' Some states even have 'lemon laws' to protect consumers from faulty vehicles. But why do we link a dangerous car to a sour fruit?
Green’s Dictionary of Slang traces the use of 'lemon' to describe a bad or worthless purchase to 1909. Its association with cars specifically goes back to 1923, when a used car dealer in The Oakland Tribune was said to have 'finally gotten rid of a lemon.' The term 'lemon' has long been tied to things that are unpleasant or undesirable, much like the sour taste of the fruit itself.
The link between cars and lemons may have been solidified by a Volkswagen advertisement in the 1960s. In line with their minimalist approach, the ad featured a simple image of a car and a blunt caption: 'lemon.' The text explained that Volkswagen’s quality inspectors had found several defects in this specific car, ensuring it wouldn’t be sent to a dealership with those flaws remaining.
'We pluck the lemons,' the ad concluded. 'You get the plums.'
It wasn’t until 1975 that consumers were granted federal protection against lemons. The Magnuson Moss Federal Trade Commission Improvements Act ensured that consumers wouldn’t be stuck with faulty products, including cars, or face unreasonable warranty conditions.
While the law covers all types of consumer goods, cars were of particular concern due to their high cost and tendency to experience mechanical failure. The legislation quickly became known as 'the lemon law,' though it primarily deals with vehicle warranties rather than the vehicles themselves.
For instance, in New York, state law dictates that a new car must align with the manufacturer’s warranty. If a reasonable number of repair attempts fail, the buyer is entitled to a refund.
Lemon laws differ by state and vehicle condition, so it’s essential to understand which rules apply to you. It’s also important to have a vehicle inspection done and obtain a motor vehicle history report when purchasing a used car. Additionally, pay close attention to what the dealer’s window sticker indicates about whether the car is being sold with a guarantee or as-is.
There is one scenario where owning a lemon could actually work in your favor—sort of. Analysts at iSeeCars, who compared used car prices to the MSRP of new cars, found that one color depreciated the least at 4.5 percent, much lower than the typical 15 percent. That color? Yellow.
