Most of us purchase items new, including cars, because we assume that they’ll work better than the used ones that we have. What you may not realize is how common it is for newer vehicles to have defects, though.
Lemon laws aim to protect buyers from purchasing defective new automobiles. Lemon laws vary by state, which we’ve touched on in previous posts. It’s critical that you understand the obligations that you must meet here to know if you have a valid Pennsylvania Lemon Law claim.
How long does Pennsylvania’s Lemon Law protect you?
Here in Pennsylvania, for example, the state’s lemon law covers a new car up to a year following its delivery, up to 12,000 miles of use or until the manufacturer’s express warranty expires, depending on which of the two happens first. Pennsylvania’s lemon law also only covers new vehicles that can carry up to 15 passengers. It doesn’t apply to off-road vehicles, motorhomes or motorcycles.
Under the law, defects in a vehicle have to be repaired within a “reasonable time” or you may have the right to have your money refunded (less a reasonable amount for what use of the vehicle you actually had) or a replacement vehicle.
Do you need help filing a lemon law claim?
Lemon laws can be quite complex, and sometimes the resolution is not straightforward. You may find it helpful to read over the resources on our website to learn more about submitting a claim. You may also find it helpful to consult with an attorney if you’ve tried and failed to submit a claim by yourself so that you can hopefully achieve the desired results this time around.