The Texas Lemon Law is designed to protect consumers who buy or lease a new vehicle and are unable to get their vehicle properly repaired under the manufacturer’s original warranty.
So, how do you know if your car is a lemon?
The Checklist
The checklist below can help you determine if you have a lemon. It is just the first step in a legal process, which should be handled by a lawyer. There are specific steps that your lawyer must follow to help you have your car repurchased or replaced by the manufacturer.
Your car may be a lemon if it meets the following conditions:
- It has a defect that makes it dangerous to drive or reduces the car’s value.
- The defect is something that should be covered under the warranty.
- The dealer is allowed a reasonable number of repairs to address the defect and tries to repair it, which could take several attempts.
- If that fails, a lawyer sends a certified letter to the manufacturer and lets the manufacturer try to fix the situation.
- All attempts to fix it fail and the problem significantly affects the vehicle’s sale value or use or creates a major safety problem.
Make sure to keep good records of repairs made, as well as communication with the dealership and manufacturer, as these will be needed to support your claim.
Chances for Repairs
The dealership and manufacturer are allowed to try and repair your vehicle before legal action can be taken. Knowing whether or not the dealership and manufacturer have had a reasonable number of repairs can be determined utilizing the four-times test, the serious safety-hazard test, or the 30-day test.
Keep relevant documentation for each repair. The dealer should provide you with a repair invoice for each attempted fix. Keep copies of those invoices and provide them to your lawyer. They are important to taking legal action in your case.
When to Hire a Dallas Lemon Law Firm
If you believe that your car is a lemon, it is recommended to consult with a Dallas Lemon Law Firm as soon as possible. At the Law Office of Darin Siefkes, we can help you manage the process from beginning to end, assess whether or not you have a lemon, and explain the options available to you.
If you think you may have a lemon, get a Free Case Evaluation today!