Picture the scene; you’ve just rolled your brand new motor off the dealer’s forecourt and you’ve barely been driving it for an hour and it breaks down. How do you feel? But what if the breakdown isn’t something minor either?
While it is pretty rare that a new car stops working so soon after purchase, it can happen. When this occurs, it could be said that you’ve got yourself a lemon. The purchase will no doubt have left a sour taste in your mouth.
But exactly what is a lemon car and what are your rights if you’ve got one?
This guide will talk you through what to do if your new car doesn’t live up to its intended purpose.
What Is A Lemon Car?
The lemon law protects buyers of cars. If you buy a new car, lemon laws are in place to ensure if your car has a major defect, you’re covered.
If your car ends up in the repair shop for a prolonged period of time or a serious fault makes the vehicle unsafe to drive, then you’ll have the peace of mind to know that you’ll get the car repaired by the manufacturer.
If your car ends up in the repair shop for the same problem more than it’s actually on the road, or the issue cannot be rectified, then the manufacturer must buy the car back from you.
To be classed as a lemon, the car must have developed its defect within a certain amount of time or have done less than a specified number of miles.
What Is Lemon History On A Car?
If a lemon car is one that is defective within a certain amount of time after purchase, what is a lemon used car?
By using a service such as CarFax, you’ll be able to find out whether a used car you’re buying was a lemon in the past. Knowing this fact will allow you to check whether any major issues with the vehicle have been addressed.
What to Do If You Get a Lemon?
The first thing you should do if you get a lemon is to contact the manufacturer. If they don’t play ball, you may need to hire a lawyer that specializes in lemon law.
A specialist lawyer will understand the specific lemon laws as they apply in your state.
What Is a Lemon Title?
If you buy a lemon title, you’re knowingly purchasing a car with a major defect. If you do this, you have a couple of options, You can either carry out the work needed to ensure the car is safe to be driven, or you could break the vehicle for salvage,
Check out this article, which will talk you through some of the things you can do with a scrap car to ensure you get the most out of it.
Don’t Get Caught Out
Knowing the answer to the question “what is a lemon?” will ensure that you don’t get caught out. By knowing your legal rights, you’ll be able to challenge the manufacturer to take the vehicle back.
For more automotive articles, check out the rest of the site.