Car Lemon Laws - You Don't Have To Live With A Sour Deal

By: Doug Smith

United States car lemon laws were enacted to protect consumers
against buying defective, unrepairable vehicles. The major
automobile manufacturers mass-produce their products, and
generally the quality control is very good. However, when you
connect more than a few parts together, you have a chance for a
lemon.

What is a lemon car? A lemon or lemon car is an automobile that
has a defect that cannot be repaired by the consumer after a
reasonable number of attempts. Alternately, if the car has been
in a repair garage for 30 calendar days or more for repairs on
the same defect, it may also be classified as a lemon car. The
term can also apply to a vehicle in which the defect negatively
affects the value and safety of the vehicle. Car lemon laws vary
by state, so you should consult your own state laws to determine
the exact definition that applies to you.

Why is a terminally defective car called a lemon? One can only
speculate why the name of a tart yellow citrus fruit came to be
associated with defective cars. Lemons are very sour in taste,
and traditionally sour tastes have been associated with bad
luck. If something negative happens to a person, he or she might
say, "It left a sour taste in my mouth." A salesperson whose big
deal falls through might say, "The deal went sour." It seems
plausible that the sour taste of the lemon, with its negative
connotations, was used to coin the phrase "lemon car" to
describe a car purchase gone sour.

Why were lemon laws needed to protect car consumers? Look at the
general definitions of lemon cars shown above. Some quick math
will show that a lemon car can be an extreme financial hardship.
The last time you picked up your car from the repair garage,
were you happy with the bill, or were you dreading it? A car
with four to six (or more) attempted repairs, with all the parts
and labor charges, can easily add up to thousands of dollars. If
your car is stuck in a repair garage for 30 days or more, with
the mechanics billing hour after hour of labor, the bill might
approach the price of the car itself!

If your car meets your state's lemon car criteria, you have the
right to seek a refund or replacement from the car manufacturer
(not the dealer from which you bought it). You are probably
entitled to be reimbursed for related costs such as towing,
rental cars, and maybe even long distance calls to the
manufacturer. Be absolutely sure to keep all bills and invoices
related to your attempts to get your car repaired.

If you decide to proceed with a lemon law claim against the
manufacturer, it is beneficial to consult with a lawyer that
specializes in lemon law cases. A lawyer can help make the
stressful process go more smoothly. No doubt are already
stressed enough over your lemon car.

Some states have passed lemon laws to protect consumers against
defective purchases of boats and even pets. Regardless of the
origin of the term, lemon laws are here to protect you. The car
manufacturers can hire teams of expensive lawyers, and they know
you can't. Car lemon laws help to level the playing field in
your favor.

If the guys at the car repair shop know you by your first name,
you should consider the lemon law tips below.

About the author:
Bought a lemon car? Visit car lemon laws
to learn definitions of a lemon car, how to find lemon law
attorneys, and your state lemon law rights. Visit http://LemonLaws.Find
CarsForHire.com