Have you ever bought a new car or truck only to find that it has an unfixable defect? If so, you are not alone. Consumer reports show that almost five percent of all new cars have serious defects.
The thing is, many car manufacturers don’t do the right thing, so you are left having to sue. The process can be daunting.
So what can you do to right a wrong and protect your rights? Lemon laws are your ally.
1. Right to Replacement Car or Refund
The Lemon Law allows consumers to get a replacement car or a refund if their car does not meet the manufacturer’s advertised standards. This is usually determined by a test drive or inspection. The lemon law is designed to give consumers a way to get a replacement car that meets their expectations, without having to go through the hassle of returning the car.
To use the lemon law, you must first file a complaint with the manufacturer. The manufacturer has 24 hours after receiving your complaint to either issue you a replacement car or refund the purchase price. If the manufacturer does not issue you a replacement car or refund, you can sue them and for that, you can find lemon law lawyer here.
2. The Lemon Law Does Not Apply to Leased Vehicles
The lemon law does not apply to leased vehicles. This is because the lemon law applies to the purchase of a vehicle, and not to the lease of a vehicle.
The lemon law is a law that requires manufacturers to refund or replace defective vehicles. If a leased vehicle is defective, the lessee is not entitled to a refund or replacement vehicle but may be entitled to a repair or replacement of the defective part.
3. The Law Only Applies to New Cars and Not Used Cars
The lemon law is a state law that provides protections for consumers who buy or lease new cars. The law is also known as part of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, and it applies to all new cars regardless of the state in which the car was purchased.
The lemon law does not apply to used cars, trucks, or SUVs. If you have a problem with a used car, you may be able to file a claim under the federal Lemon Law, but your chances of success are much lower. You just have to make sure that the car was still under warranty when you bought it.
4. Lemon Laws Coverage
If you are within the first 18 months of the car delivery, you are automatically covered by the lemon law. This means that if your car is not working correctly, and you have had it serviced at least twice by a qualified mechanic, you can file a claim with your state’s lemon law office.
If the lemon law office determines that the car is a lemon, they will make an offer to buy it back from you. If you refuse the offer, they will take the car away from you.
Vehicles Are Not Perfectly Made
If your new car isn’t living up to your expectations, you may be protected by the lemon law. Lemon laws vary by state, but generally, if your car has a serious defect that can’t be fixed after a reasonable number of attempts, you may be eligible for a refund or replacement.
To find out if your state has a lemon law and what protections it offers, check out the National Consumer Law Center’s lemon law guide.
