“How to get rid of a defective car?” We’ve all Googled it!
How about you? Is your newly purchased vehicle not functioning properly? I’ve been in the same situation recently and I clearly know a thing or two about how lemon laws help get rid of a faulty vehicle, so I’m going to share some helpful tips with you.
First of All, What Makes a Car a Lemon?
Lemon laws help consumers who get stuck with defective cars. In order to take advantage of these laws, first of all you need to give the manufacturer an opportunity to repair the vehicle. Each and every time you feel that your vehicle has an issue, take it to the manufacturer’s authorized dealership and ask them to repair it. Make sure you get a document stating the reason for your concerns (what defect or issue is exhibited by your vehicle)..
Obviously, lemon laws vary by state, but in general, a lemon car is a new or used vehicle which has non-conformities (defects) which interfere with its use and/or safety. What exactly does that mean? The better question is – does my vehicle qualify? The best approach is to consult an attorney such as the ones at The Margarian Law Firm. Consultations are free so there is no reason to hesitate.
There can be a wide range of defects and circumstances which might render a vehicle a lemon. Also different manufacturers have different standards for reviewing lemon law claims and threats of litigation. Thus an experienced attorney can advise you more or less whether your vehicle’s repair history qualifies it for any compensation from the manufacturer.
There is no need for you to “diagnose” your own case. You should simply take it to the dealer for repairs and then consult an attorney. The attorney will tell you the odds of winning and the likely amount of money you can recover if your vehicle is a lemon.
What Should You Do If You Think You Bought a Lemon Car?
If your car turns out to be a lemon (a vehicle with problems) you might be able to get a refund or replacement vehicle from the manufacturer.
In order to get rid of your faulty car, follow these 2 steps:
Keep Detailed Records: document your repair attempts, the number of visits to a dealer for repairs, the number of days you were not able to use your vehicle and collect all repair orders/records for each visit to the dealership.
Contact a Lemon Law Attorney: State Lemon Laws can be confusing. Both manufacturers and dealerships know how to deal with lemon law claims and will certainly make it hard for you to prove your car is a lemon. Thus, we highly recommend you contact an attorney with experience dealing with lemons and manufacturers. Moreover, for example, the California Lemon law, known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, forces the manufacturer of a defective car not only to refund you but also pay for your attorney. Thus your attorney is effectively free. This means there is no reason not to hire an experienced attorney to fight for your rights, namely your refund!
To Sum Up
Thousands of lemon vehicles are sold in every state every year. While there are federal lemon laws, each state has its own unique laws and requirements as well. Depending on the laws of your state, your new or used car may be considered a lemon. If you suspect your car is a lemon, don’t wait until it is too late to seek a refund. The sooner you contact a lemon law attorney, the sooner you can get rid of your defective car.
At The Margarian Law Firm we have skilled attorneys who are willing to fight for your consumer rights. All you need is to make one call to (818) 553-1000 to defend your rights. Say goodbye to your lemon!
