Buyers know that they are well-protected by the government in many ways, including shielding consumers from fraud and defective products. In terms of car dealers and manufacturers, the “Lemon Laws” enacted in various states allow people to receive a refund or replacement if the vehicle they purchased has severe mechanical problems.
What is a Lemon Law?
When you buy a brand new vehicle and find it suffering from grave defects, the Lemon Law requires auto manufacturers to replace the defective product or release a refund. Different states have varying versions of the lemon law, but in essence, it allows buyers to file a claim against a mechanically broken vehicle.
Keep in mind that some states may only be allowed to replace your vehicle with equal mileage, but fail to provide the full amount you paid for the car. In California, the Lemon law requires manufacturers to conform to the express warranty after failing a reasonable number of repair attempts on the defected vehicle.
What are Reasonable Repair Attempts?
Some states like California allow the auto manufacturers a chance to repair problems found in the vehicle before enacting the Lemon Law. With that in mind, reasonable repair attempts include the following standards:
- If the defect impacts the safety of the car – such as problems involving brakes or steering, Lemon Law must be enacted if it remains unfixed after one repair attempt.
- If the defect does not concern the safety, dealers or manufacturers can take three to four repair attempts before the car becomes a lemon.
- If the vehicle stays in the shop between 30 days to a one-year-period due to multiple attempts or warranty defects, it immediately qualifies as a lemon.
What Makes a Car a Lemon?
For your car to be considered a lemon, and it has to fall under the following conditions:
- The vehicle has a substantial defect that impedes the vehicle’s performance and operation. This can include problems with the system like transmissions, brakes, engines, and other major parts.
- The vehicle meets its time or mileage limits, which applies to individuals purchasing used cars.
- The vehicle has reached a reasonable number of failed repair attempts or has been under repair for 30 days or more.
The requirements vary depending on the state, which makes it challenging to keep up with all the specifications that define your vehicle as a lemon.
The Bottom Line: Why Hiring a Lemon Law Attorney is Beneficial
In addition to the ever-changing requirements in different states, some dealers or manufacturers can make it virtually impossible to convince that your car is a lemon. Having a lemon law attorney by your side ensures you can protect your rights and get back what you deserve after dealing with severe, hazardous defects from your new purchase.
If you want to learn more about the steps you need to follow to get proper compensation, if your vehicle is considered eligible for Lemon Law, we’re your best option. We are attornies that specialize in Lemon Laws in California, get in touch with us today to see if we can help you make claims against car dealerships and manufacturers.
