Is your automobile covered by law lemon legislation? This is the first question to ask if you feel your new car is a defective dud. You may have taken your car in for all kinds of repairs but it may still not be covered. Work vehicles, motor homes and motorcycles are not always included in state laws, for instance. Also, the used car lemon law only applies to Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. Before you take the next step in evaluation, you should review your state’s eligibility requirements at www.bbb.org/us/auto-line/state-lemon-laws.

The second step in evaluating your car’s law lemon eligibility is to consider the timing. In most cases, there must be documentation of a defect within the first year or 18,000 miles following the purchase. This documentation usually comes in the form of a repair receipt and vehicle check-up. It is very important that you hold onto all this evidence and keep detailed records of repairs and phone conversations with the dealer to strengthen your case. It is also wise to take your car directly back to the dealer or manufacturer to ensure that there is no finger-pointing between your local mechanic and the seller, with no one claiming responsibility for the defects. Generally, your car is protected by the state lemon law for the length of your warranty, although some regions place a 1 to 5 year limitation on when you are allowed to file a claim.

Thirdly, the law lemon case can be determined by how many repair attempts your vehicle has had. States with the best local laws for lemon vehicles (like Idaho’s) will call for a replacement or refund after just one repair attempt on a serious impairment that may threaten a person’s life. In most states, the law stipulates that anywhere from two to four repair attempts (on the same part) must be made for the car to be considered a true “lemon.” Other laws may add that a car requiring repairs for eight or more defects (on the same or different parts) can qualify. Usually, the consumer must write a letter to the manufacturer after the third or fourth repair, stating that this is “the last repair” before litigation is pursued.

Lastly, the law lemon verdict may depend upon what sort of “nonconformity” or “defect” your car has. Common lemon car problems include brake failure, transmission problems and repeated non-starts. In most states, you will not be covered for aesthetic damage like peeling paint, loose cup holders or strange noises that aren’t associated with a safety issue. Since 1972, the United States Lemon Law has been protecting consumers who face trouble getting dealers to honor their warranty obligations and correct problems in a reasonable amount of time. If you’re concerned that you may have an auto lemon, then contact your local specialized lemon law lawyer for assistance. In most cases, you won’t have to pay a dime for legal advice and guidance!

Rene Lacape is a well trained insurance agent who has been in the industry for so long. Many clients have been satisfied and have been recommending him to others. Check his website so you will know for yourself what goodness of dealing with him is.

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