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 Just
because a vehicle has been title washed doesn't make it a
lemon. If it runs fine, lemon laws won't help. But knowing
your state's lemon law could be a major plus when you go buying.
Consumer experts say a dealer
who is aware you have researched the law is far less likely
to try and unload a lemon or a formerly submerged or wrecked
car on to you. If he does, these laws can help you turn that
lemon into lemonade.
Your new car's history alone
doesn't make it a lemon. But if it runs like a car that has
been under water for a week or two, or one that has been wrecked
and poorly repaired, or one that's showing its true colors
as a lifetime lemon, these laws can help.
Generally, lemon laws cover
a manufacturer's failed attempts to repair a car that had
been sold with a warranty. If they keep trying to fix it (how
many attempts varies by state) but it still doesn't work and
the manufacturer doesn't replace or refund the cost of the
'lemon' to the buyer, the attorney general's office will step
in. What happens next also varies from state to state, but
basically you can collect a refund or a replacement for your
lemon .
There are lemon laws on the
books of most states that are valuable tools both before and
after you buy. It's easy to find out your state's law at Westech's
State Lemon Law Statutes site or at the Lemon
Aid Stand.
You can also find out what
the lemon law is in your state by contacting the attorney
general's office. Most states have an official Web site where
you can track down that office. Some states even list the
vehicle identification numbers and models of car that were
deemed lemons. Nearly all state lemon laws are similar to
the Federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which makes breach
of warranty a violation of federal law.
"Consumers have this
powerful state law backing them -- but they must arm themselves
with this information before they go shopping for used cars,"
says Janet L. Smith, assistant attorney general for Florida's
Lemon Law Arbitration Program.
-- Posted: Nov. 19, 1999
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