Should You A Buy A Lemon Car? What You Need To Know

Buying a car is a big decision. It’s a major purchase that will likely affect your finances for years to come. It’s important to do your research and make sure you’re getting the best possible deal on a vehicle that meets your needs.

Lemon Law Basics

A lemon is a new car that has serious defects that affect its safety, value, or use. For a car to be considered a lemon, it must meet all of the following criteria:

• The car must have been purchased or leased within the last 18 months.
• The manufacturer’s original warranty must still cover the car.
• The car must have been brought in for repairs at least four times for the same issue or 30 days total within the 18-month period.

If your car meets all of these criteria, then you may be able to get compensated by the manufacturer under the California lemon law for a new car. 

How To Spot A Lemon Car Before You Buy It

Whether you’re buying new or used, you want to ensure you get a good vehicle that will last. No one wants to end up with a lemon. But how can you tell if a car will be a lemon before you buy it? Here are a few things to look for.

Check for Recalls

Before buying any new or used car, check for recalls at safercar.gov. Just enter the car’s VIN, and it will tell you if any recalls have been issued for that vehicle. If there have been recalls, find out if they’ve been fixed. If not, move on to another car.

Get a Pre-Purchase Inspection

If you’re buying a used car, getting a pre-purchase inspection from a qualified mechanic is always a good idea. This will give you peace of mind knowing that the vehicle is in good condition and has no major problems.

Check the Vehicle History Report

When you’re looking at used cars, be sure to get the vehicle history report (VHR). This report will tell you if the car has ever been in an accident, recalled, has a lemon history reported, or has any other problems. The VHR is an important tool in helping you spot a lemon before you buy it.

The Pros of Buying a Used Car

There are several advantages to buying a used car. The most obvious advantage is that used cars are typically much cheaper than new cars. This is because a new car depreciates as soon as it is driven off the lot, while a used car has already taken that initial depreciation hit. You can get more cars for your money when you buy used ones.

Another advantage of buying a used car is having more negotiating power. Since dealerships are often more interested in selling new cars, they may be more willing to negotiate on the price of a used car. This means that you could get an even better deal on a used car than you would on a new one.

The Cons of Buying a Used Car

Of course, there are also some disadvantages to buying a used car. The most obvious disadvantage is that you don’t know for sure what kind of condition the car is in. Even if you have the car inspected by a mechanic, there could still be hidden problems that don’t show up until after you’ve bought the car. This means you could spend more on repairs than you would if you had just bought a new car.

Another disadvantage of buying a used car is that it may not have a warranty. You will be responsible for the repairs if something goes wrong with the car. With a new car, on the other hand, any repairs that are needed during the warranty period will be covered by the manufacturer. 

What To Do If You Already Own A Lemon Car

You need to take certain steps to receive compensation from the manufacturer. The first step is to notify the manufacturer in writing of the problem and allow them to fix it. If they cannot do so after a reasonable number of attempts, you must file a claim with your state’s consumer protection agency. 

You will also need to provide documentation of the problem, such as repair orders and bills, as well as evidence that you have attempted to work with the manufacturer in good faith. Once your claim is filed, an investigation will be conducted, and if it is found that your car is indeed a lemon, you may be entitled to a refund or replacement vehicle. 

Filing Claims For Undisclosed Damages

If you have purchased a vehicle that has undisclosed damages like frame damage, you may be able to sue the manufacturer under the lemon law. You should contact an experienced lemon law attorney to discuss your legal options if you believe you have purchased a defective vehicle.

Frame damage can be difficult to detect without a thorough inspection. Some signs of frame damage include misaligned doors, windows, or panels; cracks in the frame; and gaps between the body and frame. If you suspect your vehicle has frame damage, you should take it to a qualified mechanic or body shop for an inspection.

The lemon law requires manufacturers to disclose known defects in their vehicles. If the manufacturer knew about it and failed to disclose it, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages.