If you purchase a car from an individual person, instead of a dealer, does the lemon law still take effect?

Question

My boyfriend just purchased a car from a guy and was totally ripped off. The check engine light shows as soon as you start up the car, and they had black electrical tape over it. The car has been repainted because the previous owner was in so many wrecks. There is a few dents in the side, still because of the numerous wrecks, and the guy is acting like he had no idea about it. He went to get it inspected, and there is a few things wrong internally, including the transmission, which would cost 2500 minimum to fix. The guy is now saying that he has already invested into a nother car, for 3200. <-- how much my bf spent. I was wondering if the lemon law would take effect with this situation. Thanks so much for any help!

Answer 1

Typically when you buy a car from a private owner it's "as is."  He should have test-driven it, and if the owner said no, then he should have walked away.

Now if the previous owner had put it in writing that there was nothing wrong with it, and there was, then he'd be in trouble.