Missouri Lemon Law rules at a glance
The Missouri Lemon Law (New Motor Vehicle Warranties) is Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 407.560–407.579.
| Rule | What Missouri law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Statute | Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 407.560–407.579 | § 407.560 |
| Vehicles covered | New motor vehicles bought from a franchised dealer, mainly for personal, family or household use; Demonstrators and lease-purchase vehicles sold with a manufacturer’s warranty; The chassis, engine, powertrain and component parts of recreational motor vehicles; Vehicles transferred to you during the express warranty | |
| Not covered | Commercial motor vehicles; Off-road vehicles, mopeds and electric bicycles; Motorcycles; The living portions of recreational motor vehicles | |
| Protection window | The term of the express warranty or 1 year after original delivery, whichever expires earlier | § 407.571 |
| Four Repairs Test | The same defect was repaired 4 or more times and continues; written notice to the manufacturer is required first | § 407.571(1), § 407.573.2 |
| 30 Working Days Test | Out of service for repair of the defect 30 or more working days, not counting routine maintenance; written notice is required first (business days) | § 407.571(2), § 407.573.2 |
| Written notice | Give the manufacturer written notice of the need to repair the defect. It must name a reasonably accessible franchised dealer, and it has 10 calendar days after you deliver the vehicle there to fix it. | § 407.573.2 |
| Dispute program first? | If the manufacturer has an informal dispute program that fully complies with FTC Rule 703, you must use it before the refund or replacement remedies apply (§ 407.575). The manufacturer must tell you about it. | |
| Deadline | The earlier of 6 months after the express warranty expires or 18 months after original delivery; or 90 days after a dispute panel’s final action | § 407.573.3 |
| Usage deduction | Missouri subtracts a reasonable allowance for use from a refund or a replacement, but the statute sets no formula (§ 407.567.1). |
Does your car qualify under the Missouri Lemon Law?
Missouri law presumes the manufacturer had a reasonable number of chances when any one of these tests is met inside the protection window (the term of the express warranty or 1 year after original delivery, whichever expires earlier):
Four Repairs Test
The same defect was repaired 4 or more times and continues; written notice to the manufacturer is required first.
§ 407.571(1), § 407.573.230 Working Days Test
Out of service for repair of the defect 30 or more working days, not counting routine maintenance; written notice is required first.
§ 407.571(2), § 407.573.2Missouri counts working days and leaves out downtime for routine maintenance. The window ends at the earlier of the warranty’s end or 1 year from delivery, but it can be extended if the problem was reported and not repaired by then (§ 407.573.1).
Notice to the manufacturer in Missouri
Give the manufacturer written notice of the need to repair the defect. It must name a reasonably accessible franchised dealer, and it has 10 calendar days after you deliver the vehicle there to fix it.
In Missouri you must give the manufacturer written notice and a final 10-day repair chance before you can use the Lemon Law’s remedies (§ 407.573.2).
Dispute program first. If the manufacturer has an informal dispute program that fully complies with FTC Rule 703, you must use it before the refund or replacement remedies apply (§ 407.575). The manufacturer must tell you about it.
What is the Missouri lemon law deadline?
The earlier of 6 months after the express warranty expires or 18 months after original delivery; or 90 days after a dispute panel’s final action (§ 407.573.3).
| Event | Date | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle delivered | Mar 15, 2025 | The protection window starts |
| Protection window ends | March 15, 2026 | Repairs after this date do not count toward the tests |
| Sue by | September 15, 2026 | The earlier of 6 months after the express warranty expires or 18 months after original delivery; or 90 days after a dispute panel’s final action |
If you use the manufacturer’s dispute program, the deadline becomes 90 days after the panel’s final action.
How to file a Missouri lemon law claim
- Keep every repair orderEach one proves an attempt or a working day out of service.
- Send written notice to the manufacturerIt must tell you which franchised dealer to use and has 10 calendar days after delivery there to fix the vehicle.
- Use the manufacturer’s Rule 703 program if it has oneMissouri requires it before the refund or replacement remedies apply.
- Sue in timeThe earlier of 6 months after the warranty ends or 18 months after delivery, or 90 days after the dispute panel’s final action.
- Recover fees if you winThe court awards costs and attorney fees based on actual time spent.
Refund, replacement and the Missouri deduction for use
| Remedy | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Replacement or refund, at the manufacturer’s option | Missouri lets the manufacturer choose: a comparable new vehicle acceptable to you, or a refund of the full purchase price including collateral charges (sales tax, license, registration and title fees, inspection). |
| Allowance for use | A reasonable allowance for your use is subtracted from either a replacement or a refund. |
| Attorney fees | A consumer who wins in court recovers costs and attorney fees based on actual time spent (§ 407.577). |
Missouri subtracts a reasonable allowance for use from a refund or a replacement, but the statute sets no formula (§ 407.567.1).
Missouri’s deadline trap: 18 months at most
Many owners assume they have years to file. In Missouri, the outer limit is 18 months from delivery, and it can be shorter if your warranty ends first plus 6 months. With a typical 3-year warranty, the 18-month limit always comes first.
| Warranty | Warranty end + 6 months | 18 months from delivery | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 years / 36,000 miles (low mileage) | Sep 15, 2028 | Sep 15, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 |
| 1 year (12 months) | Sep 15, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 |
Who chooses: refund or replacement?
In most states the consumer chooses. Missouri is different: § 407.567 says the manufacturer shall, at its option, replace the vehicle with a comparable new one acceptable to you, or take it back and refund the full purchase price. Either way, a reasonable allowance for your use is subtracted.
The refund includes collateral charges such as sales tax, license, registration and title fees and inspection charges. The manufacturer can then claim the sales tax and fees back from the Department of Revenue, or direct you to claim them.
Does Missouri have a buyer’s remorse law?
Not for cars. Missouri’s Lemon Law is a remedy for a defect the manufacturer could not fix after repeated attempts. It is not a cooling-off period, and it does not let you return a car because you changed your mind or found a better deal.
Does the Missouri Lemon Law cover used cars?
Missouri covers a person to whom the vehicle is transferred during the express warranty, but repairs count only inside the warranty or the first year from original delivery. Missouri’s Lemon Law depends on the manufacturer’s express warranty.
Missouri’s Lemon Law covers the chassis, engine and powertrain of recreational motor vehicles, but not motorcycles, mopeds, off-road vehicles or commercial vehicles.
To test your own dates and repair visits, see whether your Missouri car meets the four-repair test.
Missouri Lemon Law FAQs
Is there a lemon law for used cars in Missouri?
Only in a limited way. A person to whom the vehicle is transferred during the express warranty is a consumer, but repairs must fall inside the warranty or the first year from original delivery. Used cars without the manufacturer’s warranty are outside the Lemon Law.
How long do I have to file a lemon law claim in Missouri?
The earlier of 6 months after the express warranty expires or 18 months after original delivery; if you use the manufacturer’s dispute program, 90 days after the panel’s final action (§ 407.573.3).
Does Missouri have a buyer’s remorse law for cars?
No. The Lemon Law covers defects the manufacturer cannot repair; it is not a cooling-off or return period.
Who decides between a refund and a replacement in Missouri?
The manufacturer, at its option. Missouri’s statute lets the manufacturer choose a comparable new vehicle or a refund, minus a reasonable allowance for use.
Does the Missouri lemon law cover RVs?
Only the chassis, engine, powertrain and component parts of recreational motor vehicles. Motorcycles, mopeds and off-road vehicles are excluded.
Sources
Checked on October 13, 2026. We re-verify Missouri rules when the legislature, the courts or the agency change them. Read how we check every rule in our editorial policy.