Virginia Lemon Laws Protect the Consumer

2007-03-08 10:33:40

( Legal )



General Auto Lemon Law Provisions

A "lemon" is a vehicle which is too substandard in quality. That is, it spends more time breaking down and being repaired in the shop than functioning what it was intended for.

Under general auto lemon laws, you as the consumer have some rights to seek reimbursement or replacement for a lemon vehicle. The types and specifications of the vehicles covered by auto lemon laws vary by state. Generally, your vehicle must have spent a minimum number of repair incidences within a specified period of time, usually about a year, before you can make demands from the auto
dealer. For instance, under California Lemon Law, you must have repaired the vehicle at least twenty times during a period of at least eighteen months or 18,000 miles. Under North Carolina Lemon Law, the period is shorter at 12 months or 12,000 miles.

Virginia Lemon Laws

Virginia lemon laws are applicable only to motor vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, vans and chassis of motorhomes which were bought in the state. The vehicle must not be older than four years to qualify for buy-back. You should also show documentation that it has been under repair for a total of thirty days during an eighteen-month period. The auto manufacturer is also given one more attempt to repair the vehicle after the thirty days have elapsed.

Perhaps the best provision compared to other states' auto lemon laws is the minimum of only three attempts given to auto dealers or manufacturers to repair the problem, or one attempt for a life-threatening defect.

Tips for the Consumer

If you bought your vehicle in Virginia, you are protected under Virginia lemon laws.

Always take note of your car's repair schedules and details of repairs. Keep documentations of all job orders and repair receipts, and the exact number of repair attempts and number of days your car has been in the shop.

Do not be intimidated by the car dealer or manufacturer who might tell you that your car's problem is "normal" or that you do not qualify under the lemon law. Consult a good lawyer to make sure that you have sufficient grounds to file a lawsuit against the dealer or manufacturer, and what reparations you are entitled to.


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