You might be feeling beyond frustrated with a car that doesn’t seem fixable no matter how many times it visits the dealership. It might feel comforting to know that once, a quiet poetry teacher, Rosemary Shahan, also felt beside herself and decided to take a stand.
Shahan decided to take a stand and boycott her Lemon Grove dealership. She was surprised by the number of stories she heard similar to her own.
It was the birth of lemon laws and eventually the lemon law buyback. While having a lemon car on your hands might be profoundly frustrating, you won’t need to boycott the dealership because there are now laws to protect your interests.
Read on to learn more about lemon laws and what you can do to get help.
What Is a Lemon Car?
A lemon car is a car that won’t get repaired after many attempted efforts. The law says a lemon car has substantial defects that are unfixable.
The law also says that a lemon car’s defects cannot be addressed or fixed in a reasonable amount of time.
The tricky part of the law’s descriptor is that they’re subjective. Both terms, substantial defects and a reasonable amount of time aren’t exact. So, when pursuing a lemon law case, these terms are considered on a case by case basis.
What Are Florida Lemon Laws?
There are lemon law protections that apply at both the federal and state level.
The federal lemon law commonly known as the Magnuson Moss Warranty Federal Trade Commission Improvements Act is found in Title 15 Chapter 50 of the U.S. Code, in Sections 2301-2312.
The law follows the idea of substantial defects being addressed in a reasonable amount of time. If the manufacturer is unable to fix it, they should either provide a replacement or a refund.
The law applies to a new or demonstrator vehicle from an authorized service agent in Florida. It falls under the purview of the Motor Vehicle Warranty and Enforcement Act.
The law in Florida doesn’t apply to every car buying experience. The law says the car in question must fit these criteria:
- New cars must be for personal use or a family member
- Vehicle must be originally owned for two years
- Leased or purchased by original owner and have a warranty
It does require car dealers to make every effort to fix the vehicle, and offer a replacement or a refund if it’s not fixable.
Three or More and 15 Days
Florida law has a few specific numbers to be aware of if you’re concerned your car is a lemon.
The first part of the law says that if your car is still showing defects after three attempts at a repair, you can begin the process to pursue a refund or replacement.
Fifteen days is also significant in the law. If your car spends 15 or more days in for repairs for a recurring problem or a series of problems, you can begin the process to request a car refund or a replacement vehicle.
Get Help With Your Lemon Law Vehicle Purchase
While the laws are in place to protect owners who find themselves with lemon vehicles, seeking a car refund or replacement vehicle might be tricky.
You should seek the help of an experienced attorney who knows how to navigate the Florida lemon laws. Your case will get more notice when you have an attorney representing you.
Use the Lemon Law Buyback to Fix Your Lemon Issues
It can be beyond frustrating to own a car that is unfixable. If your car is spending more time in the dealership for repairs than it is in your driveway, it’s time to pursue the lemon law buyback laws.
We’re experienced lawyers who specialize in Florida’s lemon laws. Let us help you get a car that actually runs. Contact us today to get help with your lemon.