California dealers reluctant to repair cars under lemon law

Purchasing a new car is not always the celebration TV commercials make it seem to be. Often, a new car buyer in California feels confused about the options and concerned about the monthly payments. Owning a new vehicle supposedly removes the worry of unforeseen repairs and the likelihood of breaking down at the least convenient moment. Occasionally, however, a new car is a lemon, and many returns to the dealership do not always result in the satisfaction a consumer expects after making such a large purchase.

Some new car owners who make several trips back to the dealer for repairs covered by the manufacturer's warranty soon learn that the dealer is not so eager to handle a car that may be a lemon. The lemon laws in most states require the manufacturer to repurchase or replace a vehicle with a defect that cannot be fixed after a certain number of repair attempts. Nevertheless, dealer mechanics may be quick to pass off consumers who are seeking the satisfaction they paid good money for.

Additionally, many dealer mechanics claim the manufacturers do not always pay them for repeat repairs. This offers them little incentive to work on a vehicle they have already tried to fix. Because it is the manufacturer, not the dealer, who must replace the lemon, dealers and their mechanics may not put much effort into the repairs, especially if the vehicle is a make or model with which they have had numerous complaints. When this happens, a mechanic may simply tell the consumer to go ahead and seek redress under the lemon law.

When California consumers purchase a car with a defect that cannot be repaired, they are protected by the lemon law. However, it is not always easy to get the manufacturer to acknowledge its responsibility according to the law. An experienced lemon law attorney can be of great assistance in guiding a frustrated car buyer through the process of seeking the satisfaction he or she deserves.