Resolving a California Lemon Law Claim
A buyer or lessee of a vehicle has various rights under both state and federal law if the vehicle does not perform as provided in the warranty. In the state of California, the California Lemon Law protects consumers and provides them with appropriate compensation for buying or leasing a defective vehicle or “lemon”. This usually involves the repurchase or replacement of the vehicle by the manufacturer.
Repurchase means the buyer will get back the down payment, all monthly payments, registration fees and any other costs associated with the lemon, minus a deduction for the actual mileage in the vehicle. On the other hand, some cases are resolved through cash-and-keep, where the manufacturer agrees to pay an amount (negotiated by the attorney) that allows the buyer to retain their vehicle and put substantial cash in their pocket. Some CA Lemon Law firms specialize in non-litigation, with cases settled out of court.