With how critical purchasing a car is in the lives of so many people, it can be understandably frustrating to find out that it is a lemon months after purchasing it. Pennsylvania’s lemon law only covers problems that occur within the first 12 months or 12,000 miles of owning the vehicle, so by the time someone finds a major problem with the car, it may already be too late.
There are many instances where you or someone else could find car damage after the sale. Some of these actions are common within the first year, while others may come slightly later. It may be worthwhile to test some of these actions out soon after the purchase to see if you have any deficiencies as soon as you can.
Driving with a passenger
As the driver, you likely do not have experience with any other seat in the car besides the one right behind the steering wheel. Test how the experience is for the front and back passenger seats by offering to give your friends or your neighbor a ride somewhere. Whether it is thanks to their car knowledge or their perspective from a different angle, they might be able to spot something off about the vehicle that you could not notice before.
Mechanical repair
Those with defects that affect the car’s performance will likely take it in to the repair shop to have it looked at. Some may have it looked at once they make the final purchase to make sure everything’s in order. However, many Pennsylvanians do not know that it is possible to have a professional mechanic inspect the vehicle before your purchase it. If the dealer is hesitant to have a full inspection performed, that might hint that they know the car has a couple of issues.
Vehicle customization
Some car owners try to upgrade the technology or give their ride a new paint job immediately after the purchase. Out of all the post-car inspection processes, this should be the last one. While car modification will not typically void a warranty, the dealer can try to prove that your additional parts resulted in the vehicle’s failure. It can make it difficult for both sides to argue their case with these circumstances.
Aside from these scenarios, customers often discover major car defects randomly after the purchase. If your dealer is uncooperative after they are discovered, you should consider filing a claim and contacting a lawyer that knows about lemon law to help you either get your money back or a new car that works better than the last one.