An angry Utah man drove his car into a Mazda showroom after his return was denied — $10,000 in estimated damages. Here's how to avoid buying a 'lemon' when shopping for a car on a budget

How Murray ended up with a ‘lemon’ car

According to Slade, Murray was well aware that the car hadn’t been inspected and could potentially have issues. Murray, however, was reportedly angered that he had bought a lemon — a term for a car with significant defects or malfunctions — and that certain mechanical issues with the car hadn't been disclosed during the purchase.

But Murray purchased the vehicle "as is," which means there was no warranty or guarantee attached to the sale. Dealerships are required by law to disclose any significant issues associated with a car that’s for sale, but a car sold “as is” means any defects or flaws discovered after the car is sold will become the responsibility of the buyer.

When Murray drove the car off the lot, all of the car’s pre-existing issues became his problem to solve. It seems clear, however, that Murray didn't quite understand the terms of the sale and felt duped when the purchase was finalized.

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How to ensure you don’t buy a lemon

When purchasing a new car, the buyer is guaranteed certain protections under the law. A warranty, for example, legally requires a dealership to repair anything listed in a sold vehicle’s warranty coverage. There are also “lemon laws” in certain states throughout the U.S. that entitle the buyer to a full refund at the purchase price, or a replacement vehicle, if a used car turns out to have serious problems.

But lemon laws don't apply to all used vehicle sales, and while dealerships often include a warranty in the sale of a used vehicle, not every used car comes with the security of a warranty.

In Murray’s case, he was reportedly aware that a warranty was not included in his purchase and decided to roll the dice with a car sold “as is.” In order to avoid making the same mistake, there are a few things you may want to look into before purchasing a used vehicle:

• Buy from a reputable dealership: Do some homework on the dealership before finalizing the purchase. Look for online reviews on the dealership to get a sense of how pleased its customers typically are once they drive a used car off the lot.
• Purchase a used car that comes with a warranty: While a used car’s warranty might not last as long as that of a new car, it’ll ensure that the dealership will take care of any major issues while the warranty is active.
• Get a mechanic to check out the car: This might not always be doable, but a second set of experienced eyes could help you make a safe decision on your used car purchase.
• Completely understand the terms of the transaction: This is especially important if you are buying a used car that’s being sold “as is.”

In Murray's case, he didn't do at least one of the tasks listed above. And though he may believe the dealership failed to disclose mechanical issues with his car, Murray quite obviously responded in a terrible manner.

He could have continued to speak with the dealership and come to some sort of agreement; Fox 13 reports the dealership did eventually offer Murray his money back, or a replacement vehicle, before Murray drove his car through the dealership’s showroom. Murray could have also pursued legal action — ideally with a lawyer but potentially on his own in small claims court.

Murray’s response, however, was dangerous, illegal and extremely ill advised. His experience should serve as a cautionary tale for those looking to buy a used car on a budget.