When you purchase a new car, you naturally assume it is in good condition. If you suddenly start having problems with the car, you might have bought a lemon. When this happens, it’s important that you have the car fixed right away. Your warranty should cover the cost of repairs.
By getting your car fixed quickly, you’ll be able to determine whether or not the problem was caused by a manufacturing defect.
What is considered a lemon under California law?
A car that has one or more manufacturing defects is classified as a lemon under California law. Some of the determining factors as to whether or not your car is a lemon include:
- The defect was detected within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles following the purchase of the vehicle.
- The car is under warranty from either the dealer or the manufacturer.
- The safety of the vehicle is compromised because of the defect.
- The manufacturer has been unable to repair the defect, even with repeated attempts.
- The vehicle has been in the shop for 30 days and is still not working properly.
Your safety behind the wheel should be your top priority. If you choose to ignore the problem with your car, you could end up with huge repair bills as well as serious safety issues down the road. Should you cause an accident because of the car’s defect, you could be charged. When this happens, your insurance company may refuse to cover the cost of repairs because you knew about the defects and did not have them fixed.
California’s lemon law is there to protect consumers. If you think that you have purchased a lemon, you would benefit from some assistance in order to set the situation right.