There is no buyer’s remorse, cooling-off, or right-to-rescind law that requires the seller of a used car to cancel the sale or accept the return of the car. When you sign the contract for the purchase of the car, you are legally obligated to the purchase. Because of the finality of the purchase agreement (or an offer, acceptance, and the exchange of the payment and the car), it is important to have the car inspected by an independent auto service technician, and carefully read and understand the agreement before you sign it or agree to buy the car.

Some state laws require car dealers to offer extra protections for buyers of used cars—such as a contract cancellation option agreement that the buyer may purchase for an additional fee, and that will allow the buyer to return the car and cancel the contract within a short period of time (2 days).

Used cars are generally sold and purchased “as is,” which means with all of the car’s defects and flaws, and with no warranty. In other words, it is generally caveat emptor—meaning “buyer beware!” But there are currently six states that have some kind of a lemon law (warranty) for used cars: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, and New York.

In California, there is no statutory 'cooling-off' period for the purchase of used cars from dealers. Once a contract is signed, the buyer is legally bound to the purchase. However, California does have a Car Buyer's Bill of Rights, which includes a provision that dealers must offer a 2-day contract cancellation option on used vehicles under certain conditions, for which the buyer can pay an additional fee. This option allows the buyer to return the car within the specified time frame. It's important to note that this option is not automatically included in the contract; it must be offered and can be declined by the buyer. Used cars are typically sold 'as is,' meaning the buyer accepts the vehicle with all existing defects and without any warranty, unless a warranty is explicitly offered by the dealer. California does not have a lemon law that applies to used cars, unlike the six states mentioned that provide some form of used car lemon law protection.