Cars are major investments and essential for most people. When dealers and manufacturers sell cars, they make it clear that those vehicles are well-made and free of major defects. Unfortunately, every new car is not made perfectly. You may have purchased one of these defective vehicles.
This is when the Texas lemon law becomes important; it offers protection for people who buy defective vehicles (also called lemons). Here is a look at how the Texas Lemon Law can protect you.
The Lemon Law Process
The lemon law is a process for handling defective new vehicles purchased from dealers. Your lawyer goes through a series of steps to help you get compensation for your vehicle, either through a buy-back or a replacement.
There are several tests commonly used to see if your car is a lemon and to help guide the legal process. While there are no hard and fast limits, these tests can be helpful in understanding when a vehicle is a lemon and what action needs to be taken.
How Many Repair Attempts Does the Manufacturer Get?
There are no limits to the number of repair attempts that a manufacturer or dealer can make to the vehicle. The key thing to remember is that although repair attempts were made, the repairs never fixed the problem.
As a test to see if a vehicle has been through excessive repairs, follow the 24/24K rule. If the vehicle cannot be repaired successfully within the first 24 months of ownership or the first 24,000 miles, it may be a lemon. You could expect this to include four attempts by the dealer, although those numbers can vary significantly. If your vehicle has met or exceeded the guidelines of this test, contact a lemon law lawyer as soon as possible.
Replacing the Vehicle if Repairs Fail
If all attempts to repair the vehicle fail, the manufacturer may be responsible for buying the car back or replacing it entirely. With the help of a Houston Lemon Lawyer, it is possible to hold the manufacturer accountable for selling a defective vehicle.
In many cases, a buyer can expect the vehicle to be repurchased by the manufacturer. This is often the simplest and most efficient way to resolve the case. Lemon law cases can be complicated due to several factors involving the value of the vehicle and a repurchase may not be a practical solution in some situations..
In rare cases, the vehicle may be replaced. This does not happen often due to the same factors that complicate the buy-back process. However, it does happen in specific circumstances when it is called for. Your lawyer can advise you on the process further and what you can expect the outcome to be when they take your case.
Wide Coverage for Most Situations
The Texas Lemon Law applies to the purchase of vehicles that have a manufacturer’s warranty. The vast majority of those cases are new car purchases.
New cars of nearly any variety are covered as long as they develop a problem that is explicitly covered in the manufacturer’s warranty. Showroom or demonstration cars are included as well, as long as they have not had a previous owner on the title. If you are unsure if your car is covered, consult a Houston Lemon Law Attorney for clarification.
If you suspect that your car is a lemon, discuss your situation with a Houston lemon law firm. Contact a Houston lemon lawyer from The Law Office of Darin Siefkes.
Think you might have a lemon? Get a Free Case Evaluation today!