The Florida offset for use formula
Section 681.102(19) defines the offset as the miles attributable to you up to the date of a settlement agreement or arbitration hearing, whichever comes first, multiplied by the purchase price and divided by 120,000. Recreational vehicles divide by 60,000. Unlike Texas and California, Florida counts every mile you drove, not only miles before the first repair.
| Price | Miles at hearing | Math | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| $36,000 | 12,000 | 12,000 × $36,000 ÷ 120,000 | $3,600.00 |
| $48,000 | 20,000 | 20,000 × $48,000 ÷ 120,000 | $8,000.00 |
| $90,000 RV | 9,000 | 9,000 × $90,000 ÷ 60,000 | $13,500.00 |
What the refund includes
| Purchase price | The full price of the vehicle |
|---|---|
| Collateral charges | Costs incurred because you acquired the vehicle: manufacturer- or agent-installed items, earned finance charges, sales tax and title charges (§ 681.102(3)) |
| Incidental charges | Reasonable costs directly caused by the defect (§ 681.102(7)), such as towing and rentals |
| Minus | The reasonable offset for use |
You can always choose a refund instead of a replacement. A replacement may cost up to 105% of the original MSRP. For a lease, you receive your lessee cost, the lessor receives the rest, and no early-termination charge applies (§ 681.104(2)).
Estimate yours with the calculator on this page, or open the full lemon law buyback calculator to compare states. To see if you qualify first, check your car in two minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How is a Florida lemon law refund calculated?
Full purchase price plus collateral and incidental charges, minus the offset: miles driven up to the settlement or arbitration hearing × purchase price ÷ 120,000 (60,000 for RVs).
How long does the manufacturer have to pay a Florida lemon law refund?
Section 681.104(2) requires the refund or replacement within 40 days. After an Arbitration Board decision, a manufacturer that loses has 40 days to comply.
Do I get finance charges back under the Florida lemon law?
Earned finance charges are collateral charges under § 681.102(3), so they are part of the refund.
Sources
Checked on October 10, 2026. Read how we verify every rule in our editorial policy.