Tips to protect your inverstment

Often times, your new car isn't suspected of being a Lemon until it is too late (out of warranty, over the mileage limit, etc). If you keep a record of every repair visit, starting with the first one, you will protect your rights under Consumer Laws.

Document everything! This includes notes, who you talk to, what is said, dates and times. Put your complaints in writing and keep a copy for yourself. Be sure to obtain a copy of any Warranty Repair Orders. Demand a copy if necessary and if the dealer will not give you one, be sure to document the fact. When you pick up your car, obtain an Invoice. The dealer may claim that you are not entitled to an Invoice because there were no charges (you were not invoiced for any repairs). It is up to you to prove repair attempts! The final Invoice shows what was or was not repaired.

Make absolutely sure the dealer records your complaint on the Repair Order exactly as you describe it. You must make sure to describe the defect exactly the same on each repair visit or you may forfeit your rights under the "reasonable attempts to repair for the same defect" clause.

Be sure that the date, time in, and odometer reading are recorded as well as the date and time you picked up the car. In most States you are covered by the Lemon Law if the vehicle has been in the repair shop for an accumulative number of days during the coverage period.

If your car fails in the middle of the desert or in the middle lane of rush hour freeway traffic, record the date and time, the amount of time you had to wait for assistance, whether or not you had to rent a car, and your general overall feelings. The emotional trauma dealing with a defective vehicle has a lot of bearing on your case should you need to go to arbitration or court.

KEEP A COPY

Keep a copy of all documentation you have regarding your vehicle and its history. This includes all repair orders, purchase contracts, warranty book and owners manual that came with your car.

TAKE WRITTEN NOTES

Take writien notes of all conversations you have with your dealership and repair technicians concerning your vehicle and its “lemon” potential. Include the date, time and what specifically was discussed. This includes phone calls and in-person contact.

ASK ABOUT TSB’s

Ask about TSB's or Technical Service Bulletins, instructions from the manufacturer that alert dealerships of specific defects or necessary repairs in certain models. If you don’t ask your dealer might not present you with this information, so speak up and ask your technician to write your request on the repair order.

PREPARE A TIMELINE

Prepare a timeline if you have many repair orders in your possession, to organize each repair attempt by date, the number of times the vehicle has been in the shop, and how many days total your vehicle has been out of service.

DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED

Do not be discouraged by your dealer, repair technicians, or others who might tell you the problems you are experiencing with your vehicle are minor and that you do not qualify under the lemon law for any sort of relief. ONLY AN ATTORNEY who is licensed to practice law in the state where you purchased your vehicle and has some familiarity with the lemon law, can make that determination!

More about Lemon Law :

▫ What is a lemon vehicle? ▫ How to recognize a lemon car? ▫ Do I have a lemon? ▫ Car VIN number revealed ▫ What about Motor Homes and Motorcycles? ▫ The lemon law complaint process ▫ Is a Used or Leased Car protected? ▫ Lemon car manufacturers responsibilities ▫ Do I need a lawyer? ▫ How lemon law cases are handled? ▫ Who pay the lawyer? ▫ What should I do if I have a lemon? ▫ When can I take action? ▫ State by State Lemon Law Summaries ▫ Tips to Protect your inverstment! ▫ How to pick a lawyer or attorneys

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