Washington Lemon Law Buyback Calculator

How the Washington buyback is calculated

Under the Washington Lemon Law (RCW 19.118).

• Your refund is the purchase price plus collateral and incidental charges, minus a single "reasonable offset for use." The price used is net of any manufacturer-to-consumer rebate, while your trade-in allowance counts toward it.
• Washington ties the offset to your mileage at the first repair attempt for the qualifying defect, not your current miles: offset = (those miles x purchase price) / 120,000. The divisor is 90,000 for a motor home and 25,000 for a motorcycle, which keeps the deduction small because it is pegged to early mileage.
• The refund includes sales and use tax, the unused (prorated) portion of registration, license, and title fees, dealer doc and prep charges, finance and interest charges, prepayment penalties, service contracts, and factory- or dealer-installed options.
• Incidental costs are added on top: towing, the cost of alternative transportation like a rental or loaner, and out-of-pocket repair expenses. Keep your receipts, because undocumented charges may be left out of an award.
• Washington runs a free arbitration program through the Attorney General. There is no consumer buyback multiplier: the only statutory penalty is a non-compliance fine paid to the state, not to you, and treble damages under the Consumer Protection Act are a separate court claim, not part of the arbitration buyback.

Washington lemon law: frequently asked questions

How much can I recover under the Washington lemon law?

Most repurchases return close to what you paid, minus the mileage offset for use. On a $35,000 car with 3,000 of your own miles at the first repair attempt, the offset is roughly $35,000 x 3,000 / 120,000, or about $875, leaving an estimated $34,125 plus refunded tax, prorated fees, finance charges, and incidental costs. Your actual number depends on your mileage, price, and documented costs, so treat the calculator result as an estimate.

How does the Washington mileage deduction work?

Washington multiplies the purchase price by the miles you drove up to the first attempt to repair the qualifying defect, then divides by 120,000 (90,000 for a motor home, 25,000 for a motorcycle). Because the count stops at your first repair visit rather than at your current odometer or hearing date, the offset is usually small. That is one of the more consumer-favorable rules in the country.

What is the Washington Attorney General arbitration program?

It is a free, state-run New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board administered by the Attorney General that decides lemon law disputes using the statutory refund formula. You file a financial information form and bring your verification to the hearing, since refundable items you do not document may be left out of the award. The program is generally seen as more consumer-favorable than manufacturer-run arbitration.

Do I have to pay the lawyer out of my recovery?

Often not. If you prevail and the manufacturer is also represented by counsel, the arbitration decision can award your reasonable attorney fees and costs against the manufacturer. Many consumers also pursue fees in court under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or the Washington Consumer Protection Act, where a prevailing consumer can recover fees. Ask any lawyer how fees are handled before you sign.

How long does a Washington lemon law claim take?

Timing varies with the arbitration hearing schedule and any manufacturer follow-through. Once you accept an award, the manufacturer has 40 days to comply, and missing that deadline triggers an escalating fine of $300 up to $1,000 per day, capped at $100,000, paid to the state rather than to you. Because your offset is fixed at your first-repair mileage, waiting does not enlarge the deduction the way it does in some other states, but filing promptly still moves your case along.