Indiana auto help: lemon law and emissions testing
Source: Local Help Stations (localhelpstations.com). Last updated November 2, 2026.
Indiana car rules here come from the Motor Vehicle Protection Act (IC 24-5-13), the Attorney General's lemon law guidance, and BMV and IDEM emissions pages.
What Indiana rules say
- The lemon law covers cars and light trucks bought or leased from an Indiana dealer. (source: State of Indiana)
- Protection ends at 18 months or 18,000 miles from delivery, whichever comes first. (source: Indiana General Assembly)
- Repair efforts count as reasonable after at least four tries on the same problem. (source: Indiana General Assembly)
- They also count after a total of 30 business days out of service. (source: Indiana General Assembly)
- That 30 day count is extended when repairs are unavailable because of events like a strike or natural disaster. (source: Indiana General Assembly)
- A refund must be the full contract price, including trade in credit, less a reasonable allowance for use. (source: Indiana General Assembly)
- If the maker has an informal dispute program certified by the Attorney General, you must use it before you sue. (source: Indiana Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division)
- A lemon law suit must be filed within two years of when you first reported the problem to the dealer. (source: Indiana Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division)
- Bought back lemons get a title brand reading Manufacturer Buyback, Disclosure on File. (source: Indiana Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division)
- The Attorney General cannot represent you in seeking a refund or replacement. (source: Indiana Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division)
- Vehicles registered in Lake and Porter counties need emissions tests every two years. (source: Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles)
- Vehicles from the four latest model years are exempt. (source: Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles)
- The testing program, called Clean Air Car Check, applies in those two counties. (source: Indiana Department of Environmental Management)
This page covers statewide rules only. Cities and counties can add their own permits and licenses, so check with your local building office too.
More Indiana topics
Sources
- State of Indiana (IN.gov FAQs, Attorney General): What are the Indiana Lemon Law requirements? (checked November 2, 2026)
- Indiana General Assembly (Indiana Code 2025): IC 24-5-13 (Motor Vehicle Protection) (checked November 2, 2026)
- Indiana Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division: Indiana Lemon Law (fact sheet) (checked November 2, 2026)
- Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles: Vehicle Emissions Testing Program (checked November 2, 2026)
- Indiana Department of Environmental Management: Vehicle Emissions Testing Program (checked November 2, 2026)
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