Buying a new car is one of the bigger purchases that people will make. When you buy a car, you look forward to several years of trouble free driving with a reliable new car. If you do have a problem, you know your dealer will repair it free under a warranty. So what happens if the dealer cannot fix the problem? Is there recourse for you; or are you stuck with your lemon car you cannot drive?
With all the improvements in the auto industry, there are still a disturbing number of cars purchased every year that are considered lemons. If you have brought your new car back to the dealer for a defect multiple times and they cannot repair it, you probably have a lemon. Here are some things you should know about owning a lemon car and what you need to do to rectify your situation.
All lemon laws are based on the following criteria:
- The car must have a “substantial defect” covered by warranty, and occur within a certain time after purchase
- Continue to have the defect after a “reasonable number” of repair attempts.
- Reasonable amounts of attempts vary by state. Checking the lemon laws in your state is imperative.
- The car has been in the shop for at least thirty days to repair the defect. This does not have to be consecutive days and is in effect for the life of the warranty.
- You reported the problem to the dealer immediately, and they addressed the problem under the manufacturer’ warranty.
If you can prove these issues then chances are you have a lemon.
The resolutions depend on the significance of the problem: and how many times repair attempts the dealer made.
The maximum remedy under California lemon law is a complete repurchase of the vehicle, including down payment, taxes, tags finance charges, minus the mileage incurred while a buyer owned the vehicle.
Buying a lemon car can be a real pain, but a California lemon law attorney Hovanes Margarian will take care of your problems and help you get remedies you are entitled to.
