The Lemon Law Guide: Essential Steps
DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT
Document everything you have regarding your vehicle and its history. This includes all repair orders, service records, purchase contracts, warranty book and the owners manual that came with your car.
TAKE WRITTEN NOTES
Conversations you have with your dealership and repair technicians concerning your vehicle and its lemon potential can be forgotten or misunderstood. Include the date, time and what specifically was discussed. This includes phone calls and in-person contact. Don't tape record conversations unless you have permission; it's a crime to do so in many jurisdictions.
ASK ABOUT TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS
Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) are instructions from the manufacturer that alert dealerships to specific defects or necessary repairs in certain models. They are never divulged to the public (although you can often find them on the Internet). If you dont ask, your dealer probably will not provide you with this information, so speak up and ask your technician to write your request on the repair order.
PREPARE A TIMELINE
When you have repair orders in your possession, organize each repair attempt by date, the number of times the vehicle has been in the shop, and how many days total your vehicle has been out of service.
DON'T BE INTIMIDATED
Its common to let your dealer, repair technicians, or others tell you the problems you are experiencing with your vehicle are minor and that you do not qualify under the lemon law for any sort of relief. Only an attorney who is licensed to practice law in the state where you purchased your vehicle and has some familiarity with the lemon law, can make that determination.