| United States car lemon laws were enacted to | | | | last time you picked up your car from the repair |
| protect consumers against buying defective, | | | | garage, were you happy with the bill, or were you |
| unrepairable vehicles. The major automobile | | | | dreading it? A car with four to six (or more) |
| manufacturers mass-produce their products, and | | | | attempted repairs, with all the parts and labor |
| generally the quality control is very good. However, | | | | charges, can easily add up to thousands of dollars. If |
| when you connect more than a few parts together, | | | | your car is stuck in a repair garage for 30 days or |
| you have a chance for a lemon. | | | | more, with the mechanics billing hour after hour of |
| What is a lemon car? A lemon or lemon car is an | | | | labor, the bill might approach the price of the car |
| automobile that has a defect that cannot be repaired | | | | itself! |
| by the consumer after a reasonable number of | | | | If your car meets your state's lemon car criteria, you |
| attempts. Alternately, if the car has been in a repair | | | | have the right to seek a refund or replacement from |
| garage for 30 calendar days or more for repairs on | | | | the car manufacturer (not the dealer from which you |
| the same defect, it may also be classified as a lemon | | | | bought it). You are probably entitled to be reimbursed |
| car. The term can also apply to a vehicle in which the | | | | for related costs such as towing, rental cars, and |
| defect negatively affects the value and safety of | | | | maybe even long distance calls to the manufacturer. |
| the vehicle. Car lemon laws vary by state, so you | | | | Be absolutely sure to keep all bills and invoices related |
| should consult your own state laws to determine the | | | | to your attempts to get your car repaired. |
| exact definition that applies to you. | | | | If you decide to proceed with a lemon law claim |
| Why is a terminally defective car called a lemon? One | | | | against the manufacturer, it is beneficial to consult |
| can only speculate why the name of a tart yellow | | | | with a lawyer that specializes in lemon law cases. A |
| citrus fruit came to be associated with defective | | | | lawyer can help make the stressful process go more |
| cars. Lemons are very sour in taste, and traditionally | | | | smoothly. No doubt are already stressed enough |
| sour tastes have been associated with bad luck. If | | | | over your lemon car. |
| something negative happens to a person, he or she | | | | Some states have passed lemon laws to protect |
| might say, "It left a sour taste in my mouth." A | | | | consumers against defective purchases of boats and |
| salesperson whose big deal falls through might say, | | | | even pets. Regardless of the origin of the term, |
| "The deal went sour." It seems plausible that the | | | | lemon laws are here to protect you. The car |
| sour taste of the lemon, with its negative | | | | manufacturers can hire teams of expensive lawyers, |
| connotations, was used to coin the phrase "lemon | | | | and they know you can't. Car lemon laws help to |
| car" to describe a car purchase gone sour. | | | | level the playing field in your favor. |
| Why were lemon laws needed to protect car | | | | If the guys at the car repair shop know you by your |
| consumers? Look at the general definitions of lemon | | | | first name, you should consider the lemon law tips |
| cars shown above. Some quick math will show that a | | | | below. |
| lemon car can be an extreme financial hardship. The | | | | |