The Lemon Law varies in different states, however the main purpose
of the Lemon Law is to provide consumers with free legal representation
if it is determined that their complaints against the car manufacturer
are legitimate. If the Lemon Law is found to have been violated,
the manufacturer must buy the consumer's vehicle back and pay all
their attorney's fees.
Breach of Warranty Laws provide protection for consumers who experience
recurrent problems with a vehicle still covered by the manufacturer's
warranty but no longer covered by the Lemon Law.
Cars that are leased in some states are covered under the Lemon
Law. Cars that are both leased and registered in Pennsylvania are
not covered. It is important to remember that even if your vehicle
is not covered by the Lemon Law, it may be covered by Breach of
Warranty Laws. There is also a pending bill that could extend the
Pennsylvania Lemon Law to cover leased vehicles.
What should I do if I begin to experience
problems with my car?
Report a problem to your dealer immediately. Document all repairs
done to your car. Make sure that the mechanic who services your
car correctly notes the problems you explained to him directly on
the invoice. Reoccurring problems should be listed the same way
on each invoice. It is important to do all recommended basic maintenance
such as oil changes and lubrication.
If the dealer is unable to correct a problem after three opportunities
to repair it or if your vehicle is out of service for 20 days or
more for any number of separate repairs.
How long does it take to resolve a Lemon
Law suit?
It can take anywhere from one to fifteen months to resolve a case,
depending upon the complexity of the case and the willingness of
the manufacturer to settle.
If my suit against the manufacturer is
successful, what will I receive?
If your vehicle is demonstrated to be a Lemon, you are entitled
to return the vehicle to the manufacturer, who will buy it back
from you. This includes reimbursement for any down payment, any
net trade-in allowance, and all car payments made to date including
finance charges. In addition, the manufacturer must pay off any
remaining balance on your car loan. There is a mileage offset deducted
based on the miles you drove the vehicle before you first reported
the problem. In addition, the manufacturer is required to pay all
attorney's fees and cost.
Research the car you want to buy. Be sure to test drive the exact
new vehicle you want to purchase. Try every gadget and switch to
ensure everything works properly. Taking precautions isn't always
100% foolproof, but you may discover a defect and avoid future problems.
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