Using the Lemon Law — Know Your Rights

Using the Lemon Law — Know Your Rights

Lemon Law
Mandet

When you purchase a new product, especially an expensive vehicle, you expect it to work as intended. When things go wrong, you expect that the manufacturer will stand behind its warranty.  Unfortunately, this doesn’t always turn out to be the case.

If you’ve had continuous problems since you’ve purchased your car or truck and repeated repair attempts have failed, you may have bought what is known as a “lemon.”

A lemon law lawyer in Los Angeles can help you understand how California’s powerful lemon law can help you when you can’t seem to get your vehicle fixed.

What Is a Lemon Law?

Lemon laws are regulations that serve to provide consumer protection in the event that an individual purchases a vehicle or another consumer product that does not work as intended or advertised.

Essentially, lemon laws require a manufacturer to replace or repurchase a product if it cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts.

The California Lemon Law

The California Lemon Law is one of the most powerful such laws in the U.S.  Our lemon law protects consumers when they have purchased a defective vehicle that cannot be repaired after a “reasonable” number of repair attempts. The law applies to vehicles purchased or leased in the state of California that are still covered by a manufacturer’s warranty.

A lemon law lawyer in Los Angeles can help you understand how this law may apply to your situation.

Lemon Law Coverages

The California lemon law applies when a problem cannot be repaired that:

  • Is covered by a new-vehicle warranty provided by the manufacturer
  • Impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle in a substantial way
  • Was not caused by unreasonable use of the vehicle after the purchase

If problems occur with covered vehicles, the manufacturer could be required to buy back, replace, or refund the purchase price of your vehicle.

“Reasonable” Repair Attempts

The use of the word “reasonable” in the lemon law can leave people wondering what this means.  The following factors are not required, but if they are met, you may be in a good position to argue that you have purchased a lemon. Your vehicle may be a lemon if:

  • Your vehicle suffered from repeated issues;
  • The issues impacted your ability to use, enjoy, and rely on your vehicle;
  • The issues impacted the safety or value of your vehicle; or
  • The issues resulted in significant time spent in the dealership for warranty repairs.

If your vehicle is a lemon, the manufacturer is required to repurchase (refund the price) it or replace it. Under the California lemon law, you can choose the option you would prefer.

Process of Utilizing the Lemon Law in California

If you have purchased a vehicle that qualifies as a lemon under the aforementioned guidelines, it’s a good idea to consult with a Lemon Law Attorney. They have expertise in this area and can help to ensure your rights are fully protected.

Under California law, a lemon law lawyer in Los Angeles can help you receive a:

  • Cash settlement
  • Replacement vehicle that is similar to your old vehicle (with taxes and fees paid)
  • A full refund of your purchase price and expenses, minus a mileage-based deduction

If you have to hire an attorney, the automaker will also have to pay any attorney’s fees and court costs you may owe.

If you’ve purchased a vehicle in the state of California that you believe to be a lemon, a lemon law lawyer in Los Angeles can help you to resolve your case.

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