Reviewed by Attorney: Charles Panzarella
Purchasing a defective vehicle can be an incredibly frustrating experience. Fortunately, lemon laws exist in every U.S. state to protect car buyers in such situations.
This post covers everything you need to know, from the key criteria your car must meet to qualify under lemon laws to the compensation you may be entitled to.
What Makes a Car a “Lemon”
Lemon laws vary by state, but generally, a new car with any of the following qualifies:
- A substantial defect – An issue covered under the warranty that impairs safety, functionality, or value. Minor issues don’t qualify.
- Multiple failed repair attempts – The defect continues after 3-4 repair attempts by the manufacturer.
- Over 30 cumulative days out for repairs
Additionally, issues must occur within 12-24 months or 12,000-24,000 miles of purchase, depending on local statutes.
To qualify as a lemon, the car must have a substantial defect that persists after a reasonable number of repair attempts. Source: Nolo.com
Compensation Under State Lemon Laws
If your car qualifies as a “lemon”, you may be entitled to:
- A full refund
- A replacement vehicle
- Compensation for repair costs
The specifics depend on your state’s lemon law. An experienced lemon law attorney can clarify the options available to you.
Used Car Lemon Laws
The lemon law applies mainly to new cars. However, in some states, it also applies to used vehicles. US states that have used car lemon laws include:
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- New York
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Minnesota
About seven states have laws that protect used car buyer’s rights including:
- Arizona
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- Maine
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Pennsylvania
Other states like North Carolina also have unfair and deceptive practices statutes. However, only the states with used car lemon laws require the dealership to provide a refund or replacement of the car.
There’s also a special kind of car dealership in California called buy-here, pay-here dealerships. It caters to consumers who don’t qualify for conventional car loans and specializes in older, high-mileage vehicles.
Since 2013, people who purchase a used car from the buy-here, pay-here dealership get an extra measure of the used car lemon law protection. A new California law requires the buy-here, pay-here dealerships to issue a 30-day/1,000-mile warranty. The warranty covers the used cars they sell or lease and provides consumers additional protection under the federal lemon law.
In the end, it all boils down to what to do if a dealership sold you a bad used car. Call our firm and get a free consultation and legal advice. Our lemon law attorneys have helped many clients deal with their lemon problems and can help you as well.
Do You Have a Lemon? Consult an Attorney
Wondering if your defective car meets lemon law criteria in your state? Connect with a qualified lemon law attorney for a free case review.
They can analyze repair records, assess qualifications, and explain your rights regarding compensation or replacement.
Don’t assume you don’t have recourse – lemon laws exist to protect consumers from seriously defective vehicles. Get legal guidance specific to your situation.
Speak to a Lemon Law Attorney Today: 818-254-8413