Lemon Car Laws
If you just bought a "new" car, and it is in the repair shop
more than it is on the road, you could find the Lemon Car Law is
a peach of a return for you! The Lemon Car Law is designed to
protect consumers against used car turnover and fraudulent sales
people. The Lemon Law differs through the states, but in general
it applies to a vehicle that continues to have a defect that
substantially impairs its use, value, or safety. Generally, if
the car has been repaired 4 or more times for the same defect
within the warranty period and the defect has not, or cannot be
fixed, the car qualifies as a "lemon." All of the state laws
will vary slightly so if you are having a major problem that
keeps recurring, consult the Lemon Law Summary and the statutes
for your particular state. If you have started having mechanical
problems on your car, whether you suspect it to be a lemon or
not, there are a few precautions that would be wise to take
especially if it should come down to going to court. Consumer
rights' are a touchy area. The consumer needs to prove that what
he is saying about the purchase is true. In order to recoup the
value of a large purchase, such as your car or truck, the court
needs to have a black and white, documented, paper trail. Keep
records of everything that is done to the vehicle, sales
receipts, time in the shop, who did the work, oil changes,
routine appointments, etc. and keep it all in a small notebook
in your glove compartment. Then as you begin to notice a pattern
for a certain repair, you have the record. This is what judges
like to see; it makes their job easier and more straightforward.
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty-Federal Trade Commission Improvement
Act is another tool for consumers. This federal law gives
consumers substantial rights in dealing with manufacturers of
lemon cars. It provides for certain minimum requirements of
warranties and provides for disclosure of warranties prior to
purchase. So be sure to get a good warranty and then stay within
it because this law will stand up for you, and it also lets you
recover your attorneys' fees when you win.