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.