Buying a vehicle, whether new or used, is an investment. No one expects to drive off to find the car is defective. Unfortunately, this happens to such an extent that there’s now a law to protect consumers if they purchase a vehicle that fails to meet the expected standards. Understanding your rights if your car ends up being a “lemon” can help you secure a resolution. Here’s our guide to understanding lemon law.
What Is the California Lemon Law?
The California Lemon Law protects consumers when their vehicle is defective despite a “reasonable” number of failed attempts to repair. The law applies to the majority of newly purchased and leased vehicles in California if they’re still under the manufacturer’s warranty.
If the vehicle is sold, the remaining time on the warranty still protects any new owner. The lemon law means the manufacturer could be asked to buy back or replace the vehicle. This is after they’ve tried to repair it and cannot. The problem:
- Needs to be covered by the new vehicle warranty
- Needs to impair the use, safety, or value of the vehicle substantially
- Must not have been caused by unreasonable or unauthorized use of the vehicle
The key word in the legislation is “reasonable.” What this equates to depends on a range of factors. Generally speaking, if the problem has started within 18 months or 18,000 miles (whichever happens first), the manufacturer has been told about it, and you’ve taken it in for repair by the manufacturer (or someone acting on their behalf). The number of attempts to repair generally is as follows:
- Four times for one problem that is still not fixed
- Two times for one problem that is serious enough to cause death or significant injury
- The vehicle has been out of service for repair for more than 30 days in total
Steps to Take if You Suspect You Have a Lemon
If you’re unlucky enough to have a “lemon,” you’ll need to have a paper trail. Here are the recommended steps to take:
- Document everything: Make sure you keep a record of repairs and attempted repairs, receipts, and all correspondence.
- Contact the manufacturer: Tell them of the issues you’re having and allow them the opportunity to repair your vehicle.
- Seek legal support: Consider consulting experts like lemon lawyers Los Angeles to streamline the process.
Why Professional Legal Help Matters
It can be complex, challenging, and overwhelming for some people to navigate a lemon law claim. Lemon law cases often require detailed documentation, negotiations with manufacturers, and the following of specific legal deadlines. While this can be done independently if you want to save money, there is a risk of costly errors or missed opportunities.
Hiring an experienced legal professional would provide a significant advantage. Skilled lemon law attorneys will be better equipped to maximize compensation and negotiate with manufacturers. With knowledge and experience, professionals can push for favorable outcomes.
Endnote
Finding yourself stuck with a “lemon” is frustrating, but it can be resolved. Regardless of whether you’re purchasing a new or used vehicle, you need to document everything, keep records of correspondence, and keep the manufacturer informed of issues so they can attempt to repair them. Remember, this only applies to what’s listed in the vehicle warranty so make sure you read the fine print as well
