You love your new car. It’s perfect in every way. But then, a few weeks after you drive it off the lot, you start to notice some problems. The check engine light comes on and won’t turn off.
You take it to the dealership, but they can’t seem to find anything wrong with it. The same thing happens a few more times and you start to worry that there might be something seriously wrong with your car.
Luckily, you live in California, which has one of the most consumer-friendly lemon laws in the country.
Read on as we discuss the basics of the lemon laws in California for used cars. We will cover what qualifies as a lemon car under the law, what remedies are available to you, and more.
What Is It?
If you are a California resident who has recently purchased a used car, you may be wondering if the California Lemon Law applies to you. Thankfully, the answer is yes! The California Lemon Law applies to both new and used cars, as long as they have been registered in California.
The California Lemon Law is a state law that protects consumers who purchase or lease new or used vehicles that turn out to be lemons. Under the law, “lemon” cars are defined as vehicles with defects that substantially affect their use, value, or safety. If your car qualifies as a lemon under the law, you may be entitled to a refund or replacement vehicle.
How Does It Work?
Under California Lemon Law, if a consumer buys or leases a new car that has one or more substantial defects covered by the warranty, and the manufacturer or its authorized repair agent is unable to repair the defect or defects after a reasonable number of tries, then the consumer may be entitled to a refund of the purchase price or lease payments, plus certain other costs. The law also requires the manufacturer to pay the consumer’s attorneys’ fees and costs.
There are different rules that apply to used cars. If a used car is still under its original factory warranty, then it is subject to California Lemon Law just like a new car. However, if the used car is not covered by a factory warranty, then it may still be covered by the state’s Used Car Lemon Law if it has one or more defects that substantially impair its use, value or safety, and those defects are not specifically excluded from coverage.
Under this law, the consumer may be entitled to a refund of the purchase price or a replacement vehicle. Attorneys’ fees and costs may also be recoverable.
Filing A Claim
If you think your used car may be a lemon, you can file a claim with the California Lemon Law. The first step is to send a notice of your complaint to the manufacturer, dealer, or lessor. This notice must include your name, address, phone number, and a description of the problem.
You should also include the date of purchase or lease, and the odometer reading. If you have tried to repair the problem, you should include information about those repairs, as well as any correspondence you have had with the manufacturer or dealer.
Once the manufacturer or dealer receives your notice, they have 14 days to respond. If they do not respond within that time frame, or if they are unable to repair the problem after a reasonable number of attempts, you may be entitled to a replacement vehicle or a refund. To learn more about your rights under the California Lemon Law, contact an experienced attorney.
Things To Keep In Mind
There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to the California Lemon Law. First, the law only applies to vehicles that have been registered in California.
Second, the law has a statute of limitations, which means you must file a claim within a certain time frame after the problem arises. Timeframes vary depending on what type of defect they’re dealing with.
Finally, it is important to keep detailed records of all attempts made to repair the defect. The more evidence you have, the bigger the chance of you winning the case.
If you think you may have a lemon on your hands, be sure to familiarize yourself with the lemon law in CA or you can always contact an experienced lemon law attorney to help you with what best course of action to take. By doing so, you can know your rights and get the compensation you deserve.
