Does anyone know anything about used car consumer rights-please only answer if you really KNOW-don't guess?

I just bought a used 2000 Ford Escort five days ago from a dealer. So far, my horn stopped working, the air conditioning stopped working, the heat stopped working, the windshield wipers stopped working (unless I'm using the water too and then they only move for a second or two, with the water flow), the service engine light came on and stays on, and now the car jumps forward when I'm driving in slower stop/start traffic). Does anyone know anything about my rights under a used car sale (please don't guess, thank you), and/or if the last thing - car jumping forward - might be the transmission?

By the way, Lemon Law does NOT apply to used cars - only new.

You may not like the answer - but here goes. Its your car. Unless there is a specific warranty in writing, all used cars are sold as is.

And to the person ahead of me - NO there is NOT a three dya return right - anywhere. That simply is not true.

Now. There may be a couple of things to remedy. First, most states have minimum safety standards that a dealer must meet. They cannot sell a car that is unsafe. One could make the argument that wipers are safety related, since you cnat see to drive in the rain.

If your state requires that cars pass emissions or safety inspections, get the inspection done immediately. You only have a few days to comply to get any legal help. If the car will not pass the safety or smog inspections, then check your state's laws as to what the resolutions are. Some states say that the dealer can fix those items, some say that they have to take the car back.

if your state does NOT require those inspections, then unfortunately you own a car with problems. This is why a pre-purchase inspection is critical.

The Check engine light can come on for a number of reasons. If you go to your local Pep Boys, Kragen, or similar stores, they will put the OBDII scanner on the car and tell you why its on. Given the lurching you mentioned and the engine light, it could well be a transmission issue.

But get these things done immedaitely. Time is not on your side here.

If you bought the car as is without any warranty, and that is in writing then you are screwed on the mechanical stuff. All things you should have checked more thoroughly while test driving. Only thing you have a chance getting fixed is whatever is causing the service engine light o come on. The light comes on because something emissions related is faulty and it is illegal for a dealer to sell a car that will not pass emissions testing.

all i know is that there is a lemon law..u can return a used car within 3 days of purchase