What Do You Do If Your Car Is A Lemon?
Posted on: 1 May 2023
As a consumer, you have certain expectations when you make a large purchase, such as a vehicle. Used vehicles have wear and tear. However, the seller should disclose all necessary information about the condition of the vehicle. When a seller neglects to offer valuable information about a used vehicle and the vehicle doesn't operate as expected, that vehicle becomes referred to as a lemon. You may be able to take action.
Proving Your Car Is a Lemon
Every state has its own unique laws regarding the legal definition of a lemon. Before you proceed, read your state's definition of a lemon to determine if your situation fits into that definition. If unsure after reading the law, contact your local defective car lemon law lawyer to get clarification.
If your car is a lemon, you're going to have to prove it. You can use advertisements, communications with the seller, pictures, and repair invoices to gather support for your case.
Statute of Limitations
As every state has a definition of a lemon, they also have a statute of limitations in which you must file your claim. For the best results, file your claim as quickly as possible. Alternatively, you'll need to verify the statute of limitations in your state to see if you still qualify. If you do, prepare for an upward battle. It will be harder to prove that damage to the vehicle existed when you bought the car after an extended period of time.
Sale Agreement
You may buy a lemon from either a private seller or an authorized seller. When you buy from a private seller, you'll need to pay close attention to the wording in the purchase agreement. If you buy the car "as-is", you may not have any legal recourse. If no agreement exists, your lawyer can provide insight based on the details of your case.
When you get a lemon from an authorized dealer, you can go through the manufacturer to get the vehicle repaired. The vehicle likely has a warranty that will cover unexpected repairs. When the manufacturer refuses to cover the repair costs or fails to repair the issue after multiple attempts, the car becomes classified as a lemon, and the manufacturer will replace it.
When you buy a car, you can test drive it and have a mechanic inspect it to minimize the chance of getting a lemon. Or you can buy from an authorized seller. For more information, contact a lemon lawyer near you.
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