Each state varies when it comes to determining if a vehicle is a lemon. However, there are general guidelines that let consumers know if they need to take up an issue with either a manufacturer or a dealership. It is easier to enact the lemon law for a new car, but used vehicles are also protected by the lemon law to a certain extent. If you purchase a new vehicle and the brakes malfunction, the steering locks, or the car inexplicably stalls while driving, you could have a possible lawsuit against the manufacturer under the lemon law regulations. Below is some basic information about how the lemon law affects consumers.
Warranty Information
Many of the lemon law decisions are made based on the terms of the warranty. Both state and federal laws require warranty information, although federal law often takes over when there is a breach of warranty and the state law does not cover you under the lemon law. When looking at warranty information in regards to the Lemon Law for new cars, an attorney will need you to provide how many times you’ve attempted to repair the defect and how long you were unable to use the vehicle during the repairs.
Most state lemon laws allow a maximum number of repair attempts before considering the car a lemon. The same is true for the number of days a car must stay in the shop for repairs. If you are without your vehicle for more than one month, most states will consider it a lemon.
Compensation In Lemon Law Cases
Typically, you are able to return the vehicle for a full refund of the purchase price. In some cases, you are offered a replacement vehicle if it’s discovered that the only reason the vehicle won’t operate is because of defective parts specific to that car. In a federal case, you may be given the difference between the blue book value and the new price of the car as compensation. Every state is different, so it’s best to work with a lemon law attorney who understands all aspects of the lemon law for new cars. There’s no reason to drive around in a defective vehicle, so if the dealership or manufacturer won’t help, consider hiring legal counsel to help you prove your car is a lemon.