Lincoln, Nissan, and Dodge are some of the car brands with the least reliable cars on the market. However, even if you’re careful and do your research, it’s still possible to wind up with a lemon.
No one wants to wind up with a lemon car, but if you’ve found yourself in this position, there are steps you can take to correct the situation. Keep reading to find out what you should do next.
How States Define a Lemon Car
First, it’s important to determine if the vehicle you’ve bought is legally considered a lemon. Laws vary from state to state. You can read up on California and other state laws at lemonlaw.com.
Typically, a lemon car has:
- Been in a repair shop multiple times for the same issue
- Been at a repair shop for a certain number of days (usually 30 or more)
- Been reported as problematic prior to reaching a certain number of miles
- A type of major ongoing defect that isn’t the result of an accident, negligence, abuse, etc.
Check Your Vehicle Warranty
Your vehicle warranty should outline what malfunctions are covered and the timeframe in which you need to make repairs. If repairs fall under a warranty, they shouldn’t cost you anything extra. However, waiting too long can cost you, so be sure to take a look at the warranty before it runs out.
Contact the Dealer
Most reputable dealers will want to resolve issues to keep current customers happy and to encourage future business. After all, no one wants to be known as the dealer selling lemons.
Talk to them about your warranty, schedule repairs, and make sure to document everything. Keep records of conversations, quotes, guarantees, repairs, and so on. Get everything in writing.
Make sure you voice any concerns about recurring problems and find out what you can do to get the issue resolved.
Contact a Government Agency
In most cases, you can get the issue resolved by following the steps outlined above. However, if you’re still not getting results, you can contact a federal or state government agency.
Lemon laws exist to protect consumers from this exact situation. Of course, lemon law can seem overwhelming if you’ve never had to go through this before. That’s why you might want to consider hiring a lawyer that specializes in this area to help walk you through the process.
Act ASAP
If you’re experiencing car problems or your car keeps breaking down, it’s crucial to act fast. Your vehicle may still be covered under warranty. If you wait too long, you can end up paying more expenses out of pocket.
As soon as you notice the issues keep happening, consider contacting a lemon attorney and see if you can get a consultation.
When Life Gives You Lemons
Getting stuck with a lemon car doesn’t have to be the end of the world, as long as you act fast and follow the tips we’ve covered here. Don’t get stuck with a car, SUV, or truck that puts you and your passengers at risk.
To discover more important life advice, take a look at our other content. We cover more auto tips you can’t afford to miss.
