Now That’s Sour: and How They Protect You
In 2018 alone, there were 17.2 million vehicles sold in the United States.
Buying a new car can be a fun and exciting experience. But it can also be quite a pain, especially when it comes to financing.
Cars aren’t exactly cheap, to say the least. So when you put your hard-earned money toward a new vehicle, you should be confident in your purchase.
Unfortunately, some dealerships and sellers are less than honest about their wares.
They’re more than happy to sell you a defunct car without disclosing its problems.
But when life hands you lemons, it’s time to make lemonade!
Keep reading as we examine automotive lemon laws and look into how they protect you and your family.
Automotive Lemon Laws 101
To understand lemon laws, we first need to look at what the law defines as a lemon.
It’s crucial to note that, prior damage and necessary repairs don’t make a car a lemon. In most cases, a trip to the mechanic can fix most vehicular issues.
Instead, a lemon is a car that’s beyond repair without extensive mechanical work.
The issue must also impact the vehicle’s ability to work as intended under warranty.
So, for instance, a dented bumper wouldn’t make a car a lemon. However, if the car’s gas pedal won’t budge, that’s considered a safety issue, and thus, makes the car a lemon.
What Do These Laws Cover?
As you might expect, these laws cover all new vehicles sold in the United States.
Likewise, used cars are covered in most instances, as well. The only exception to this rule is Colorado and Delaware, whose coverage only extends to new vehicles.
Things get a bit dicier when it comes to private sales, as the law isn’t entirely clear one way or another. Be sure to look into your state’s specific laws regarding lemon sales.
You may be able to get your money back or at least pass the cost of repairs onto the dealer or seller.
What to Do If You Buy a Lemon
First and foremost, always do your research on any vehicle you’re considering purchasing. Never buy it sight unseen.
Give it a test drive and inspect both the interior and exterior for damage. If it’s a used vehicle, take it to a trusted mechanic and have them look it over for you.
What happens if it’s too late? You’re still protected, fortunately.
You can ask a lemon law lawyer to find out if you have a case. If you do, they can represent you in court and hopefully help you win your money back.
Most lawyers even offer a free consultation, so you won’t have to spend a fortune determining whether or not you have a case.
Sippin’ on Lemonade
No one ever goes into a sale expecting to buy a lemon. If you do end up with a dud, don’t worry. Automotive lemon laws can help you repair your vehicle, replace the dud, or cancel the sale entirely.
Are you interested in learning more about automotive law? Then be sure to check back in with our blog for more great legal advice like this!
