San Francisco Car Buyer Rights Under the California Lemon Law

Purchasing a vehicle is a big decision, and it’s not one you should ever make lightly. Any substantial purchase is going to warrant some extra thought. When you do buy a car, you may realize the car has significant mechanical problems. If this happens, you may be feeling angry, cheated, and taken advantage of. Your first instinct may be to get rid of the car. You may be wondering about San Francisco car buyer rights under the California Lemon Law. An experienced lawyer can explain your options.

Explaining the California Lemon Law

If you ever purchase a vehicle in California, you may have extra protection under the California Lemon Law, also known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. This law holds vehicle manufacturers accountable for certain defects present in the vehicles they build. While this law does not extend to every vehicle under the California sun, it does cover a significant amount, including new and used vehicles alike.

This law may protect you from being wholly taken advantage of by car dealerships that sold you a lemon. You can file a legal claim against the responsible people, hold them accountable, and make sure you either get reimbursed for your purchase or receive a replacement vehicle for your troubles. An experienced lawyer can represent your case and make sure it goes as smoothly as it possibly can.

San Francisco Car Buyer Rights Under the California Lemon Law

When you realize the vehicle you purchased is a lemon, one of the very first things you may start to consider is how to get rid of the vehicle while not losing a considerable amount of money. However, you may want to reach out to a San Francisco Lemon Law lawyer to find out if your vehicle qualifies for a buyback under state law. You may only qualify for a buyback if your vehicle meets certain criteria established by the California Lemon Law. Here are some of those criteria:

• Your vehicle has been subjected to a reasonable number of repair attempts for the same problem.
• Your vehicle has spent more than 30 days in the shop due to an unavailability of parts to fix the problem or various unrelated issues.
• The repair history of the vehicle indicates that the manufacturer is currently working on a solution, but it does not appear to have one readily available at all.
• The vehicle has been repaired multiple times for the same problem, and you’ve only been told that the problem is nonexistent. However, you can easily demonstrate the problem.
• You were sold the vehicle but never told it was previously used as a rental or had previous frame damage.

Statute of Limitations

If you decide that you want to bring your case to a lawyer and go after the manufacturer for compensation, it is vital to your case that you pay attention to California’s statute of limitations for Lemon Law claims. For most cases, you will have four years from the date you first started having problems with the vehicle to make your claim. That’s four years to set up your claim and file it.

If you cannot file your claim before four years have passed, your case will be thrown out. The state takes these deadlines very seriously. Building a solid case can take a lot more time than you might think. Be sure to document everything and start building your case as soon as you can.

FAQs

Q: What Actions Might a Car Buyer Take If a Lemon Is Purchased?

A: If a car buyer purchases a car and realizes they have bought a lemon, they may be understandably angry at their situation and want to take action. First, they should contact the dealership to start documenting the problems. They may try to have the problem repaired under the vehicle’s warranty. If repeated repairs do not fix the problem, they can hire a lawyer to start filing a claim under the Lemon Law.

Q: Does the Lemon Law Apply to Used Cars in California?

A: Yes, the Lemon Law may apply to used cars in California. Vehicles that are still covered under the manufacturer’s warranty may be protected under the Lemon Law, and that applies to new and used cars alike. The law is in place to help consumers receive reimbursement if they are sold a lemon, as it prioritizes their safety. If you might have a lemon claim, reach out to a lawyer who focuses on Lemon Law cases.

Q: What Is the 10-Day Rule for Car Dealers in California?

A: The 10-day rule for car dealers in California refers to the amount of time a dealer has to secure financing on a vehicle after the buyer takes possession of it. They generally have 10 days to finalize the deal or cancel the contract. If a car dealer cancels the contract within that 10-day period, they have to:

• Notify the buyer.
• Return every bit of money the buyer has already put toward the car.
• Return the trade-in value if applicable.
• Not charge the buyer for any vehicle use.

Q: How Hard Is It to Win a Lemon Law Case?

A: Winning a Lemon Law case can be difficult, depending on the strength of your case. If your vehicle qualifies under the state’s Lemon Law, you have documentation to prove it, and you have an experienced lawyer who focuses on these kinds of cases, there is no reason to think you can’t succeed in your case. If you are worried that your case isn’t strong enough, your lawyer can evaluate your evidence. If they think you still have a valid claim, they can investigate to find further supporting evidence.

Contact a Lawyer Today

Lemon Law Pro represents clients across the state of California, and we can represent your case, absolutely free. We only get paid if we win, and we collect our fees from the manufacturers. You don’t pay a dime either way. We can formulate a strategy and seek compensation the right way. Contact us to speak with a team member.