If you think your car might be a "lemon," start by doing a quick checklist. If your car makes odd noises, but otherwise drives just fine, you might not have a car that falls under your state's Lemon Law. But if you are experiencing major defects with the car (its engine, drive axle, brakes, steering or radiator, for example), you might want to start a paper trail. You could have a lemon.
As with any problem that occurs with a product soon after purchase, check your warranty first. Always give the manufacturer an opportunity to put things right, and give them adequate time to do so - some defects can take 3 or 4 attempts to put right.
Make sure you keep all the records concerning your vehicle and the attempted repairs though because they will definitely be needed if you need to call on the Lemon Law in your state. In particular, make sure you've kept a copy of the car guarantee in a safe place. Keep all the repair receipts and keep a diary, or log book, of the time taken over the repairs and, in particular, the time your vehicle was off the road.
You may also want to research whether any 'service bulletins' have been issued for your make and model of car (this can be accomplished with a simple Google search). Do your homework, copy any information you find and put it in your notebook. Keep logs, as you may need this information later on in the event that you need to file a claim under your state's Lemon Law.
Depending on individual state laws, dealers are required to give you a written car warranty under which they must repair, free of charge, any problems that occur. In some cases, the dealer may take the option to reimburse you for the reasonable cost of repairs, but check your own warranty to see if this applies to you.
However, whilst that's fine for relatively minor cases, if your car needs major repair work then start researching the Lemon Law statutes in your state. Certain problems during the car guarantee period, such as noises and the odd rattle, usually don't constitute a defect, but a major problem will usually be in breach of the Lemon Law. Keep notes of the dates of all the repair work to your car and especially how long your vehicle was off the road being repaired. Keep the receipts for the repairs in a safe place.
At this point, if you've made up your mind that you really do have a lemon then start getting your notes and receipts all together. Become fully familiar with your state's Lemon Law statute and compile a list of local Lemon Law attorneys. Check with the Attorney General's office in your state for more information.
Besides the car service contract, be sure you have each and every work order performed on your car, as well as any service bulletins issued that may relate to the problem or defects you're having. Nearly every Lemon Law statute will include a list of records that are important to keep. Any reports or correspondence you've received from the dealer will also be important in case you decide to make a claim under your state's Lemon Law.
It all makes for a lot of paperwork, but, as with all legal matters, the devil is in the detail and you can never keep enough details to ensure a successful Lemon Law action.
The Lemon Laws are there to protect you but to get a successful outcome you need to do your homework. We've got the full lowdown for you at Lemon Law Advice Made Easy complete with all those little things you really do need to take care of if you want to get the result you want.
