When Does a Broken-Down Car Qualify as a Lemon?

Did you know that the average car contains over 30,000 parts?

Car manufacturers have stringent processes to ensure that a minimum of defective vehicles roll off the production line. However, it is almost impossible to completely eliminate the potential for defective parts.

If a defective part winds up in your vehicle, this can cause components to malfunction and result in breakdowns.

Are you sitting with a broken-down car wondering if it might be a lemon?

If it is, you’ll be eligible for protection under Florida’s lemon car law.

Read on to find out the top three factors that may mean your car is a lemon.

Substantial Defect That Falls Under Warranty

One of the first factors that can qualify a broken-down car as a lemon is if it has substantial defects that are covered by the warranty. Defects have to not only be substantial, but also need to comprise the car’s safety, value, or use.

For instance, if there is a factory flaw with your airbag system or braking system, this will almost definitely qualify you for protection under lemon car law.

On the other hand, if your new car has a couple of wires to the radio that are loose, this probably won’t mean your car is a lemon. Faults with a vehicle’s electrical system can fall under lemon car law, but they have to be serious defects.

For example, if your indicator system is faulty, this can comprise your safety and the operation of your car.

Numerous Repair Attempts Have Been Made

Another criterion for a broken-down car to qualify as a lemon car is the number of repair attempts.

If your vehicle has a defect that’s covered by your warranty, the manufacturer is allowed to make multiple attempts to fix the.

Under Florida lemon car law, a car is a lemon if it has been back to the dealership or an authorized service agent 3 or more times within the 24-month allowance period for the same problem.

The 24-month allowance period starts on the day you take ownership of your new vehicle. This might not sound like a lot of time, but it is usually long enough for lemon car symptoms to develop. Reports state that more than two-thirds of lemon cars show symptoms within one month of purchase.

The Dealership Takes Longer Than 15-30 Days to Fix the Vehicle

Florida lemon car law stipulates that if a defective or broken-down car has been at the dealership for more than 15+ days for one or more problems, then you can begin the process of claiming for a lemon car.

As long as the 15 days fall within the 24-month allowable period of purchase, this indicates that reasonable attempt has been made to rectify the problem.

Different states have varying specifics when it comes to qualifying your car under this criteria. For instance, in some states, your car can only qualify as a lemon car if it takes the dealership more than 30 days to fix one or more problems.

Is Your Broken Down Car a Lemon? Contact Us

Does any of the above apply to your vehicle? If so, you probably have a lemon car on your hands.

If your broken-down car is a lemon, it’s essential that you take advantage of the protection that lemon car law offers.

The best way to ensure the success of your case is to work with an attorney who specializes in lemon car law, such as Jonathan D. Swartz. Jonathon is an expert in lemon car cases.