Motor Vehicle Warranty and California Lemon Law

New Protection for Consumers Buying New & Used Cars Under the California lemon law In California, a purchaser or lessee of a new motor vehicle has various rights under both state and federal law, if the vehicle does not perform as promised in an express warranty. Here is how the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act can protect you. The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act is also popularly known as the "California lemon law". The Song-Beverly Warranty Rights - Coverage for New Motor Vehicles * The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (beginning with Civil Code section 1790) provides protection for consumers who lease or buy new motor vehicles What is the protection afforded to me for my lemon buy, by the California lemon law? The California lemon law requires that the manufacturer is required promptly to replace the vehicle or return the purchase price to you, as a lessee or buyer: * If the manufacturer or its representative in California, such as an authorized dealer, is unable to service or repair a new motor vehicle to meet the terms of an express written warranty after a reasonable number of repair attempts What does the purchase price returned for my lemon buy include, under the California lemon law? According to the California lemon law the purchase price that is returned: * Includes the price paid for manufacturer-installed items and transportationrn * Does not include the price paid for non-manufacturer items installed by the dealer What is the choice afforded to me for my lemon buy, by the California lemon law? According to the California lemon law as a lessee or buyer you are completely free to choose whether to accept a replacement or a refund. What is the other monetary protection afforded to me for my lemon buy, by the California lemon law? According to the California lemon law, whatever is your choice, the manufacturer is also responsible to pay for the: * Sales or use taxrn * License, registration and other official feesrn * Incidental damages that you, as a lessee or buyer, may have incurred such as finance charges, repair, towing and rental car costs What are the charges incurred by me for the use of my lemon car, under the California lemon law? According to the California lemon law, as a lessee or buyer: * You may be charged for the use of the vehicle regardless of whether the vehicle is replaced or the purchase price is refundedrn * The amount that may be charged for use is determined by multiplying the actual price of the new vehicle by a factor that includes the number of miles traveled by the vehicle before it was first brought in for correction of the problemrn * For example, if your lemon car had traveled 6,000 miles before it was first brought in for correction of the problem, you as a lessee or buyer could be charged 5% (6,000/120,000 = 5%) of the purchase price for usage How long does the California lemon law apply to my new lemon vehicle? The California lemon law applies for the entire period of your warranty on your lemon vehicle: * If your vehicle is covered by a three-year warranty and you discover a defect after two years, the manufacturer will have to replace the vehicle or reimburse you as outlined abovern * The California lemon law applies for the entire period of your warranty on your lemon vehicle, if the manufacturer or its representative is unable to conform the vehicle to the express warranty after a reasonable number of attempts to do so When is the California lemon law NOT applicable to my new lemon vehicle? The California lemon law/Song-Beverly does not apply if the problem was caused by abuse after the vehicle was delivered to you. Follow the terms of the warranty for maintenance and proper use of your vehicle. What is the statute of limitations for my lemon buy, under the California lemon law? According to the California lemon law, there is a four-year statute of limitations to bring a law suit for breach of warranty or for violations of Song-Beverly. To get the best advantage through the California lemon law, you should act promptly to try to resolve the problem fairly and quickly to your advantage.