Costa Mesa Lemon Law Attorneys

If you’ve been saddled with a new or used car that’s a real clunker, then a Costa Mesa lemon law attorney may be your new best friend. No one in California has to be stuck with a lemon. A Costa Mesa lemon law attorney can show you how to turn lemons into lemonade and get a better vehicle to boot.

There’s nothing worse than driving to work each morning while thuds and pinging noises come from under your car’s hood.  Should you pull over? Will you make it to the next gas station?  All before 9 a.m.!  Things are even more depressing if you just purchased the vehicle, whether new or used.

Well, if you live in California, then you may have a legal remedy.  California’s Lemon Law is very consumer friendly, and it creates an opportunity to have vehicles repaired or replaced at no cost to owners.  If you believe you’ve been stuck with a defective vehicle, contact the lemon law attorneys at Neale & Fhima at (888) 407-2955 for a free initial consultation about your situation.  You’ll be glad you did!

California’s Lemon Law

Under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, if you purchase a defective vehicle, you are legally entitled to a refund, or the vehicle can be replaced at the manufacturer’s cost.  At Neale & Fhima, we fight the big auto manufacturers to enforce the lemon law rights of people living in Costa Mesa and surrounding communities.  California’s lemon law applies to both new and used cars, though you must have a certain types of vehicle warranty to be protected.

Why Do I Need a Costa Mesa Lemon Law Attorney?

In the field of law, attorneys tend to specialize, just like doctors do.  You don’t want a heart surgeon working on your spine.  In the same way, you don’t want a tax attorney working on your lemon law case.  For the best possible outcome, you want a skilled Costa Mesa lemon law lawyer who knows how to gather evidence, file legal documents and win your case.  An attorney well versed in consumer protection law can guide you through the court process and explain legal jargon in terms that are understandable.

How a Lemon Law Attorney Can Help New-Car Buyers

The California lemon law stipulates that the auto manufacturer must repair your car, SUV or truck as long as the original manufacturer’s warranty is still in force. The dealer or manufacturer must engage in reasonable attempts to repair your automobile. If the problem cannot be remedied within a reasonable number of attempts, state law mandates that the vehicle shall be repurchased or replaced by the manufacturer. The California Lemon Law applies to all types of motor vehicles still under the original manufacturer’s warranty. It does not apply to extended warranty contracts or service contracts.

To prevail in a California Lemon Law claim, you will have to show that you made “reasonable attempts” to repair the problem; therefore, you will want to keep all receipts, work orders and used parts from each one of your repair appointments. State law does not define “reasonable attempts” with precision, but there are guidelines that help determine whether you have a lemon vehicle. The California new-car Lemon Law says you may have an eligible vehicle in the following circumstances:

• The automobile had a minimum of two repairs attempted for a defect that could lead to death or serious injury if it is driven. Defects also must impair the value of the auto’s use, value or safety.
• You brought the vehicle to the dealership at least four times to remedy the same defect — over and over.
• The automobile has been at the Costa Mesa dealership for repairs of the same defect for at least 30 days since you acquired it.

If your vehicle falls into any of those guidelines and is 18 months old or less and has under 18,000 miles on the odometer, you should talk to a Costa Mesa lemon law attorney at (888) 407-2955 to find out your legal rights.

How a Costa Mesa Lemon Law Lawyer Can Help Used-Car Buyers

Sometimes consumers ask the question, “Does California Lemon Law apply to used cars?”  The answer is yes – under limited circumstances.  If you purchased a used car “as is” from a dealership or private party, then the lemon law does not apply.  You are assuming the risk with “as is” vehicles.

To establish a lemon law claim in Costa Mesa, your car must have at least one of three qualifying vehicle warranties, such as the following:

Transferred New-Car Warranty

All new cars come with a manufacturer’s warranty.  When the title of this vehicle changes hands through a sale during the warranty period, any remaining coverage transfers to the new buyer.

Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Warranty

These warranties cover used cars, trucks and SUVs that have been inspected, refurbished and resold by the vehicle manufacturer.  These warranties are usually less comprehensive than new-car warranties, but sometimes consumers can upgrade CPO warranties for a cost.  Only authorized dealerships can sell CPO vehicles.

Lemon Law Buyback Warranty

Vehicles that are re-acquired by auto manufacturers — after they have been determined to be lemons by the courts — can sometimes be repaired and resold by the manufacturer.  When they are,  California’s lemon law requires that the manufacturer provide a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty covering the prior defect.

If you’re uncertain whether your used vehicle is covered by one of these three types of warranty, our Costa Mesa lemon law attorneys can help.  Just call us at (888) 407-2955.

Making a California Lemon Law Claim

The first step is to determine that your warranty is still in effect; remember, service contracts and extended warranties do not count. Then, check your paperwork to determine whether you have made at least two attempts to repair the same problem that could cause death or serious injury. If so, talk to an attorney today to help you file the claim.

Under the state law, your vehicle may be replaced or repurchased if it is a lemon. To settle the case as quickly as possible, it is recommended that you have the vehicle simply repurchased or replaced. But if you have a strong case, you could qualify for a higher cash settlement with the help of a Costa Mesa lemon law lawyer.

Neale & Fhima, Lemon Law Attorneys Serving Costa Mesa

If you have a vehicle under warranty with major repair problems in Costa Mesa or surrounding areas, you could have a valid lemon law claim against the vehicle manufacturer. Neale & Fhima is experienced in lemon law claims and has successfully served Southern California customers for years. If you require legal advice about a possible lemon vehicle, please call (888) 407-2955 for a complimentary consultation.