If you’ve ever bought a lemon, you know how frustrating the experience can be. Lemon cars don’t live up to the promises made by the manufacturer, but your lemon vehicle doesn’t necessarily have to go to waste. A repurchase of your lemon car can be beneficial because you’ll get a cash refund or a replacement.
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Hire an Experienced Lemon Law Attorney
If you own a lemon car, it’s crucial to note that the manufacturer is not obligated to replace or repurchase your vehicle unless they have already made more than enough attempts at repair and either failed or repaired unsuccessfully. The only way you can successfully get a refund for your lemon car is by hiring an experienced lemon law attorney. A knowledgeable and professional attorney can help you with your lemon car claim and ensure that you receive adequate compensation.
Lemon laws vary by state, so it’s essential to find someone who knows how to navigate the laws in your state. In case of a refund, the manufacturer may offer a replacement vehicle or refund the purchase price (minus deductions). For accurate calculations, you can use a lemon law buyback calculator to help you determine the value of repurchase based on the MRSP of your vehicle, among other details.
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Keep Detailed Records on Your Car’s Condition
Detailed records on your car’s condition will help you when it comes time for a repurchase. Make notes about any problems or malfunctions, including details about what caused them and timelines. You may also want to keep copies of repair orders and receipts. Keep these documents in an accessible and safe location like a filing cabinet, so you don’t lose them if anything happens to your home office. It can be helpful to organize your documentation by date range.
The detailed records will help protect your rights under federal law. It also makes it easier for you to recall what happened with your vehicle during those two years of ownership if there is a later problem with the replacement vehicle, such as an unexpected malfunction. Also, remember to keep a detailed record of the mileage on your car.
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Keep Track of All Visits to Your Manufacturer or Dealer’s Shop
It’s always a good idea to keep track of your visits and repairs at the dealership or the manufacturer. You never know when you’ll need that information. Plus, it will be helpful for your lemon law lawyers during negotiations with the car company. Not only will they have a timeline of events, but they’ll also have some sense of what the car company has tried so far to fix the problem. And if there is no resolution in sight, they may be able to get more money or other concessions during negotiations.
That way, it helps determine when the defect or the problem first occurred and when the solution failed. Jot down any promises the manufacturer or the dealer makes and follow updates. If someone makes a commitment verbally but doesn’t document it anywhere, don’t be afraid to ask them to put it in writing so that both sides are clear about expectations. That can be very important in making your case for a repurchase.
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Ensure Your Claim is Not Outside New Car Lemon Law Time Limits
If you have a lemon car and want to get the most out of your repurchase, make sure you know the time limits for lemon law claims. Generally, if your vehicle is less than 24 months old and has fewer than 24,000 miles, it can be a lemon under the lemon law. However, you may need to contact an attorney specializing in automotive laws to see your options.
It’s also crucial to ensure that your car is within warranty coverage to qualify as a lemon. The law, however, does not preclude you from filing a claim outside these time limits, but it may be challenging to prove your case. Additionally, since each state has guidelines on lemon law cases, it’s essential to speak with a lawyer in your state about any specific questions or concerns that come up during the process.
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Accurately Determine Diminished Value of the Vehicle
When considering your lemon car for a repurchase, it’s crucial to consider all deductions from the original MRSP. For example, rental costs if you leased the vehicle. A mileage deduction will also come into play with used cars.
The formula for mileage deduction may depend on your state. For example, in New Jersey, mileage deduction is a product of purchase price and mileage divided by 100,000. Other deductions may include finance charges, rental costs, and sales tax. Consider these when determining what price is fair for the refund in case of a repurchase.
Conclusion
Possessing a lemon car can be pretty frustrating. However, with a reliable and experienced lemon law attorney, you can recover your vehicle through a replacement of your lemon car by the manufacturer or a refund on the repurchase and get back on the road to purchasing a new car. It is crucial to take all steps necessary to determine whether you qualify for a refund and hold onto your receipt so that you may have evidence of your purchase and repairs in case anything goes wrong.
