For many, a car purchase is one of the biggest purchases people make. When you buy or lease a new car and even when you purchase a used car from a dealership, you expect the vehicle to be in working order and problem free. Unfortunately this is not always true. Sometimes vehicles, even new ones, can experience repeated problems. Sometimes the vehicle is just a “lemon”.

In 1975 the federal government passed the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act to govern consumer product warranties. The Act requires manufacturers and sellers of consumer products to provide consumers with detailed information about warranty coverage. It helps determine both the rights of consumers and the obligations of warrantor’s underwritten warranties.

The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (also known as the “California Lemon Law” or “Tanner Consumer Protection Act”) makes California consumers the most protected from “automobile lemons” in the nation. It requires that, if a manufacturer or its representative is unable to repair a purchased or leased motor vehicle to conform to its written warranty after a reasonable number of attempts, the manufacturer must replace or repurchase it. The Law also applies to the sale or lease of used vehicles still covered by the manufacturer’s original warranty.

As soon as consumers hear the word “law” they automatically assume they need a lawyer, and will end up having to go to court which ends up being time consuming and expensive. California has what is known as an “attorney’s fees and costs provision”. This means that the time that the attorney spends with the automobile manufacturer is paid by the manufacturer to the attorney. Often, the negotiations are done through your lemon law professional and the automobile manufacturer so you don’t need to deal with the legalities. It’s just that easy!

The California Lemon Law Offices of Delsack & Associates is recognized as one of California’s best and oldest lemon law firms. We have a nearly 100% success rate of the California Lemon Law cases we accept, and offer statewide services so that wherever you live in California you can put our 22 years of experience to work for you. If you think you have a “lemon,” stop throwing your money away on costly repeat auto repairs. Contact The California Lemon Law Specialists, get A Free consultation and get rid of your CA lemon today!

Anywhere in California (free call): 1.888.ExLemon (395.3666)

• California Lemon Law in Los Angeles: 310-475-1700
• California Lemon Law in San Francisco: 415-285-5366
• California Lemon Law in San Diego: 619-229-6900
• California Lemon Law in Orange County: 949-856-4333
• California Lemon Law in Palm Springs: 760-395-1000
• California Lemon Law in San Fernando Valley: 818-837-0500

With the cost of buying, insuring and maintaining a new vehicle going up every year consumers are always trying to find a way to save a dollar. In California and other highly taxed states, the price of sales taxes adds considerably to the cost of buying a new vehicle, so many consumers buy the vehicle out of state to save on their purchase.

A recent court ruling by the California Supreme Court states that the California lemon law applies only to vehicles purchased within the state. Californians, who enjoy one of the most powerful lemon laws in the United States, but who buy their vehicles out of state may find out that they have no protection under California law if they purchase a lemon. Worse, they may have no protection under any law. Most state lemon laws require that the vehicles be purchased in that state. In addition, most lemon laws require that anyone filing a claim under the law must also be a resident of that state. This may leave buyers who purchase a vehicle and drive it to another state out of luck. Attorneys for the state of California called the ruling fair, pointing out that enforcing the statute costs money, and that it doesn’t seem reasonable for the law to represent buyers who don’t pay the sales taxes that support it.

Vehicle warranties will still apply and if the problems with the vehicle can be repaired under warranty then they will be covered. They are not, however, entitled to replacement or refund should the repairs be unable to permanently resolve the problem.