Can You Return a New Car?

Returning a new car to the dealership is a little like returning hot lava to a volcano. Most likely, it's not going to happen. However, it's not impossible. Returning a new car may be possible under certain conditions. 

Read on for some tips on returning a car to a dealership. And remember, before driving any new car off the lot, it's important to have car insurance. For help getting the best coverage for your needs and budget, contact a local independent insurance agent. 

Why Don't Car Dealers Like to Accept Returns?

Buying a car isn't like most other purchases. It involves a lot of complicated paperwork and rules before and after the purchase. If you need or want to return a car, take a moment to see things from the other side before you storm the gates. 

There is a reason that car dealers are mostly exempt from the federally mandated "cooling off period" that applies to toaster ovens and vacuum cleaners. The laws and state regulations on car sales and financing make a complicated web out of every single deal that auto sellers make.

No matter how willing your dealer might be to help you, returning a new car creates a lot of headaches for everyone involved. Here are just a few of the hoops that the dealer must jump through to cancel a car purchase:

• Cancel a loan 
• Fill out paperwork that reinstates the vehicle's "new" status
• Rescind commissions from the salesperson 
• Refund the selling price of a trade-in (when applicable) and get the title back

Despite the hassle, some dealers might be willing to consider your return if you provide a reasonable and ethical reason for returning the car. 

Good Reasons for Returning a Car

Before you provide your reason for returning the car, be prepared to ask for help in a calm and reasonable manner. Being overly demanding or angry from the start probably won't get you nearly as far as appealing to ethics and great customer service standards. 

If one of the following applies to your new car, speak about your concerns with a manager or owner of the dealership.

Top reasons a dealer will accept a new car return

• Hasty, aggressive sales tactics: This includes a dealership practice that lures you in with same-day, sign-and-drive sales based only on a credit score. If the buyer's employment history and residential history do not back up the credit score, local lenders may be unwilling to back up the sale with financing or may charge such high interest rates that you cannot afford the payments. In this case, the dealer was at fault for being overly quick to sign and should probably allow a return.
• A lackluster vehicle: Dealers should be willing to honor the promises they and their sales staff make to you. If the salesperson claims the vehicle gets 30 miles per gallon and you can only get 18 mpg on the highway, the salesperson misrepresented the facts. You would be well within your rights to ask the dealer to either adjust the price after the fact or accept a return. This can also apply if your used car turns out to be a lemon. Your state's lemon laws may ensure a return, but if the dealership is uncooperative, you will have to jump through a lot of mechanical inspection hoops to get official lemon status and get your money back.
• Auto buyer's remorse: Legally, dealers are not required to honor a return based purely on auto buyer's remorse, but in some cases, you might convince a dealership to consider your return simply because you feel like you got a bad deal. Perhaps the payments are hurting your budget more than you anticipated, or maybe you found a much better price across town. In either case, a dealership that prides itself on customer service might be willing to work with you on a car return or a reworking of the numbers just to win your trust and future business.

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What Motivates a Dealer to Accept a New or Used Car Return?

Some dealers might be more motivated than others to accept a return. These dealers may place a heavy priority on repeat business, reviews, and simply doing the right thing.

Repeat business

Car sellers know that this isn't the last car you'll ever buy. They think ahead three, five, or ten years down the line when you will either come back for more great customer service or hit up the competitor across town. 

Mention that you appreciated the great service you received while the deal was in process, and then sum up the reasons you are dissatisfied with the way everything turned out. Ask that the dealership resolve the situation in a way that suggests you trust their commitment to customer satisfaction.

Reviews

Internet ratings on dealerships are everything these days; dealerships need good ratings to survive. If the dealer seems unwilling to hear you out, you might need to mention that your review will not be favorable unless something gets fixed.

It's the right thing to do

Many dealers realize the simple fact that in some cases, accepting a new car return is the best policy. Many dealership owners pride themselves on maintaining a spotless reputation in the community. They would rather put themselves through the hassle of a lengthy return process than leave a customer feeling short-changed.

Your Last Resort for Returning a New Car

If you feel that returning a car is the only acceptable option and the dealer is unwilling to listen, you can seek legal counsel. This can be expensive and frustrating for all involved, so it's best to exhaust every other possibility first. 

If you're really unsatisfied and feel that the dealership has truly wronged you in some way, you can look into filing a complaint with a local or state agency, or you can contact the Better Business Bureau.

How Can an Independent Insurance Agent Help? 

Of course, the best way to avoid the headaches of a sticky new car return policy is to look before you leap. Research and time are the best friends of the car buyer. They can prevent you from dealing with an unscrupulous auto salesperson and accepting a deal on a car you can't afford or don't want. 

The same goes for car insurance, which you'll need when you get your new car. Your best bet is to let an independent insurance agent help you shop around and get quotes from multiple insurance companies. That way, you can be confident you're making the best choice for your needs and budget.