When Life Gives You a Lemon

Jun 7, 2017 2:06:25 PM

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We’ve heard the horror stories before. Some of us have lived them personally. From the brand-new vehicle that needed 30 repair attempts and months of litigation to the dealership employee who had an affinity for joyriding, lemons happen. So what would you do if life gave you a lemon?

Lemon laws are legislated at the state level, meaning the laws and regulations can vary depending on where you reside. These laws are distinctly intended to protect the consumer from fraudulent or misleading sales. The best way to identify your state’s lemon laws is to check out this helpful guide by the Better Business Bureau.

We hope there's no worrying about lemon laws in your future, but here are a few tips to better your experience should life hand you a lemon:

Do Your Research. If you’re in the hunt for a specific make and model, research everything about that particular vehicle prior to the purchase. Run a VIN history report, have a trusted mechanic inspect the vehicle, and ask for all available historical documents on the car before you sign on the dotted line. 

Check for Technical Service Bulletins. Technical Service Bulletins are issued by vehicle manufacturers when there are multiple occurrences of an unanticipated problem. While technical service bulletins contain procedural recommendations for repair centers, they can provide key evidence around vehicle malfunctions from the manufacturer. Keep a watchful eye to prevent hassles down the road.

Document Everything. The best way to be successful during litigation is to document everything during the purchase and repair process, including sales agreements, service receipts, and owner’s manuals. Take detailed notes on all conversations with dealership and repair personnel. Include the date, time and all parties involved for each correspondence.

Ask for Help. Many dealerships and repair facilities will fall short in validating your concerns and may even result to intimidation. Some dealerships will even downplay your vehicle’s condition and try to convince you that the problems do not qualify under the lemon laws. Be assertive and hold them accountable. The only way to know for sure is to research your state’s lemon laws or contact an attorney who specializes in lemon laws for your state.

While the chances of you ever getting a lemon are slim, unexpected repairs are inevitable with vehicle ownership. With a ForeverCar Vehicle Service Plan, you get the peace of mind you deserve. Our dedicated team of Protectionators is always here to help. We guide you through the entire repair process — lining up a tow truck and rental while coordinating payment. Get your quote today and get back to what really matters.

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