Does California lemon law allow for replacements?

It is extremely frustrating to purchase a new vehicle and then end up going back to the dealer for ongoing repairs. The cost of these repairs can be a burden for California consumers, but few people are aware of their options for getting no-cost repairs. Here are a few ways in which a consumer can utilize California lemon law to his or her advantage.

Consumers who are dealing with constant repairs for recently purchased motor vehicles may want to look into whether their cars are covered by secret warranties. Sometimes car manufacturers do not discover defective designs until after vehicles have already gone on sale. When this happens, the manufacturers notify dealers of the defect and provide instructions for defects to be repaired at no cost. In California, consumers must be notified of secret warranties, but it is possible to miss important information, so it is always a good idea to double check.

If despite multiple attempts at repairs a new vehicle is still not functioning properly, it could simply be a lemon. When an owner has attempted to have his or her car repaired four times and a mechanical defect still exists, that is usually when it is considered a lemon. A lemon is also classified as a car that was not able to be used for at least 30 days before hitting 12,000 miles.

It is possible to have a lemon replaced, but it may not always be easy. An owner must be able to prove that a vehicle is a lemon before a dealership will agree to replace it. This means that it is important to maintain detailed records for failures, mechanical defects, repairs, mileage and more. If a dealership is still not convinced by this type of evidence, enlisting the help of an attorney who is familiar with California lemon law can be extremely helpful.