Presidents Day Week historically has been a prime time to purchase a new or preowned — used — motor vehicle.
While we all have been told that our first president George Washington supposedly could not tell a lie about felling that cherry tree — a myth invented by a Washington biographer after his death — our state senators want to ensure that car dealerships live up to that ethical standard.
That’s what a bill recently passed unanimously by the Senate would do, by expanding consumer protections when purchasing new or used vehicles.
“An Act modernizing protections for consumers in automobile transactions” aims to provide more recourse for drivers facing vehicle fraud or mechanical failures.
The legislation doubles the surety bond requirements for used-car dealers and introduces a grace period for leased vehicles to prevent immediate repossession.
The legislation extends the timeline for the state’s Lemon Law, allowing customers seven days after receiving delivery of a vehicle to void the sale if it fails inspection. Currently, the window begins on the purchase date.
Sen. Michael J. Rodrigues, chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, highlighted this shift as a key distinction in the bill. “This bill expands the current Lemon Law and makes an important distinction in voiding vehicle transactions by starting the seven-day window from vehicle delivery, instead of purchase date,” Rodrigues said.
He added that the bill also makes it easier for buyers who are victims of fraud to make claims.
To protect drivers buying older vehicles, the bill increases the maximum mileage for used car warranties by 50,000 miles, bringing the new limit to 175,000 miles.
Sen. Pavel M. Payano, chair of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, said the update reflects the modern marketplace.
“For many Massachusetts residents, a car is how they keep a job, get their kids to school and make medical appointments,” Payano said. He noted that without these protections, consumers are often left carrying the financial burden of a vehicle that does not meet minimum standards.
The measure also doubles the surety bond — held for the benefit of buyers who experience fraud — that used car dealers must post to receive a license, raising it to $50,000.
Sen. Paul R. Feeney, the lead sponsor of the legislation, emphasized that the bill reaffirms a commitment to shielding families from deceptive practices.
Beyond sales, the bill supports residents who lease vehicles by providing a 21-day grace period to catch up on payments before a repossession can occur.
Senate President Karen E. Spilka said the law ensures consumers have “clear rights” and “real recourse” during significant financial decisions. “For most families, buying a car is a necessity, not a luxury,” Spilka said. “When a car purchase goes wrong, the consequences can be devastating.”
Consumer advocacy groups also expressed support for the changes.
Deirdre Cummings, legislative director for MASSPIRG, noted that while the original law has worked well, it required updates to account for 40 years of changes in vehicles and marketing.
“It just makes sense that we have modern, commonsense protections to ensure no one gets squeezed by a “lemon,”” Cummings said.
The bill will now be a subject of debate by the members of the House.
This legislation isn’t a response to a rash of consumer complaints. Most car dealers operate in a professional manner.
It’s simply a recognition of changes in the industry and the expansion of consumer expectations and protections that accompany the necessary requirement of car ownership.
It’s also a reflection of the financial commitment that comes with owning or leasing a motor vehicle in this state.
The average price of a mid-sized sedan ranges from about $27,000 to $35,500, while the average SUV costs just under $40,000.
And to that you can add a 6.25% Massachusetts sales tax.
These aren’t luxury items, just vehicles that most of us would feel comfortable owning.
And “owning” a vehicle probably doesn’t accurately describe the post-sale circumstances.
According to Experian, 61% of consumers have at least one auto loan in their credit file.
And most auto loans now look more like home mortgages.
According to Experian data from June 2025, borrowers paid an average of $682 monthly for that loan.
And for the 20% of consumers that lease a motor vehicle, their monthly cost was about the same — $659.
And of course, that’s not the only additional cost associated with owning/leasing a motor vehicle.
According to Bankrate, the average yearly car insurance premium in Massachusetts works out to approximately $2,100 for full coverage, and $650 for minimum coverage.
But that varies by community, with drivers in congested urban centers paying more for the same coverage.
And don’t forget that yearly excise tax — $25 per $1,000 of valuation per vehicle — the state charges for the privilege of driving on its roadways.
For all these reasons, residents require all the consumer protections the law allows when it comes to operating a motor vehicle in this state.
