Walk It Through: The Lemon
One year or fifteen thousand miles, three repairs or fifteen business days, a last chance, and arbitration.
A new hatchback's transmission fails in its first months, and the owner reports it to the dealer.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
One hatchback and one transmission. Leases, the defenses in detail, and the used car warranty law are not worked through here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Chapter 93AThe consumer protection law making unfair or deceptive acts in trade or commerce unlawful; a consumer sends a written demand at least thirty days before suing.
- Term of protectionThe lemon law period, one year or fifteen thousand miles from original delivery, whichever comes first, within which a reported nonconformity is repaired.