The lemon law is a consumer protection law that provides legal remedies for individuals who have purchased a faulty vehicle. This law applies to new and used vehicles, as well as leased vehicles.
If you have purchased a vehicle that has significant defects that cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts, you may be able to use the lemon law to get out of the bad car deal. Here are six situations in which you might rely on the lemon law to get out of a bad car deal:
1. New Lemon
If you have purchased a new vehicle that has repeatedly failed to meet the manufacturer’s standards for performance and reliability, you may be able to use the lemon law to get a refund or replacement vehicle. This might include vehicles manufactured with sub-par parts.
2. Secret Lemon
If you have purchased a used vehicle that has significant defects that were not disclosed to you at the time of purchase, you may be able to use the lemon law to get a refund or compensation for the cost of repairs. For example, a car with a transmission leak that isn’t evident until the car is going 45 mph and wasn’t caught at the test drive might be a lemon law claim.
3. Leased Lemon
If you have leased a vehicle that has significant defects that have not been repaired after a reasonable number of attempts, you may be able to use the lemon law to terminate the lease and get a refund of any payments you have made.
4. Recalled Lemon
If you have purchased a vehicle that has been recalled by the manufacturer due to a safety defect, you may be able to get a refund or replacement vehicle. This category also includes vehicles built with components that were recalled and whose replacement is more expensive than replacing the entire vehicle.
5. Repeated Breakdown Lemon
If you have purchased a vehicle that has been in the shop for an extended period of time due to repeated breakdowns, you may be able to use the lemon law to get a refund or replacement vehicle. For instance, a vehicle that has transmission problems that seem to be fixed but occur again and again might be a candidate for this type of claim.
6. Reduced Value Lemon
If you have purchased a vehicle that has significant defects that have significantly reduced its value, you may be able to get a refund or compensation for the difference between the purchase price and the reduced value of the vehicle.
7. Unsafe Lemon
If you have purchased a vehicle that has a defect that poses a safety hazard to you or your passengers, you may be able to get a refund or replacement vehicle.
8. Towed Lemon
If you have purchased a vehicle that has a defect that has caused you to incur additional expenses, such as towing fees or rental car costs, you may be eligible to receive compensation for these expenses.
9. Life-Disruptive Lemon
If you have purchased a vehicle that has a defect that has caused you to miss work or other important activities, you may be able to get compensation for lost income or other damages.
If you believe that you have a lemon law claim, you may want to consult with an experienced lemon law attorney who can advise you of your rights and help you pursue your claim. The process can be complicated and can require many details to keep in order. Whether you choose to get help with your claim or not, remember that there are resources available to help you in your case.
