Bought a Bad Car? How to Get Out from Under the Headache
If you bought a car, and it turned out to be a "lemon," don't think you're stuck with the problem. There are steps you can take to solve the issue. In fact, with the right action, you should be able to get out from under the lemon. You might not realize this, but there are lemon laws designed to provide relief for people who purchase problem vehicles. If your car is in the shop more often than it's being driven, and the repair costs keep going up, you might have purchased a lemon. Read the information provided below. This information will help you take the appropriate action.
File the Necessary Reports
If you believe that you've bought a lemon, and you feel that the lemon laws might apply to you, it's time to file the necessary reports. You might think that a phone call will work, but that's not the case. You might also think that you only need to notify the dealership where you bought your car. However, you actually need to submit a claim to both the dealership and the manufacturer. The reports should be provided in writing, and you should send the claim through a delivery service. The delivery service ensures that you have proof of delivery.
Make Note of the Issues
If you've decided to make a claim under the lemon law, the next thing you need to do is make note of the issues. This is where you list all of the problems you've experienced with your car. Be sure to include the type of problems you're dealing with, and the number of times you've experienced the issues. You should also document each time you've notified the dealership about the problems, as well as their response to the issues.
Document the Repairs
If your car has undergone numerous repairs, you need to document all of the work that's been done. This should include how long each repair took, as well as the cost of those repairs. If your car has required repeated repairs for the same issues, be sure to document that information as well. You should also document whether the issues have been resolved.
Hire the Right Lawyer
Finally, if you feel that you're dealing with a lemon law issue, the best thing you can do is hire a lemon car lawyer. It's not uncommon for dealerships and manufacturers to ignore complaints, or to try offering settlements that are unfair, or inadequate. A lemon law lawyer—also known as a car defect lawyer—can help you get the relief you need.
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