The “Lemon law” protects customers of motor vehicles and enforces the vehicle manufacturer’s expressed guarantee. All “under service contract” vehicles are covered under the lemon law, and it applies to vehicles for a specific amount of time after the vehicle is purchased, depending on the state in which the vehicle is registered.
Unfortunately, there are many unethical people out there trying to make a quick buck on a “laundered lemon.” This is basically taking a car that falls under the lemon category and re-selling it to an unknowing customer. These cars are usually re-purchased by the manufacturer (because of endless complaints or problems) and then re-sold without divulging the vehicle’s history. Some cars, though repeatedly repaired, are not lemons, making it hard, sometimes, to distinguish among the two.
Most states prohibit lemon laundering, and cars that have been labeled a lemon are never supposed to be re-sold. Unfortunately, with interstate transactions there are loopholes and companies willing to take advantage of them. Many car manufacturers try to scam the system by shipping a lemon law vehicle out of state and then sending it to auction to be purchased by an auto dealer. When the vehicle is eventually sold to a purchaser, the dealer will usually deny any knowledge of its lemon-colored background.
A lemon law attorney can help consumers if they feel they have bought a vehicle that fall under the “Lemon” category. Sometimes, hiring an attorney is required to make certain you either get your money back for your vehicle or get a replacement auto at no cost. Because of the large number of these cases, there is no trouble finding advertising for lemon law attorneys. As a part of the settlement or court’s requirements, in most cases, the automobile manufacturer is required by law to pay for your attorney.
Many people lost their vehicles and even their lives before the lemon laws were pushed through. It was enacted to protect you from buying a defective new or “under warranty” vehicle. If a new vehicle has been in the fix shop under a vehicle service contract four or more times and the problem still exists, the vehicle may qualify as a lemon law vehicle.
Sometimes, it becomes very difficult for consumers to fight a lemon law battle. For example, repairs are made to your vehicle and you feel it still does not measure up to the car warranty. But the manufacturer or dealer believes that the car is in total working order. It’s then time for a lemon law attorney to be brought in.
It’s easier said than done for a consumer to prove that he/she has purchased a lemon. A new car is usually the second largest purchase you make. Keeping full records of all essential work, contacts and maintenance provides the trail proving “good faith” care of your vehicle. It is important to keep those vehicle fix documentation in writing for potential lemon law cases. But, sometimes the only way to get help is to find a lemon law attorney.
