Lemon Law
Va. Code 59.1-207.13 — within 18 months, three repairs, one for a serious safety defect, or 30 days out of service
Virginia's lemon law rights period ends 18 months after the new vehicle's original delivery. If the manufacturer does not fix a defect that significantly impairs the vehicle's use, market value or safety after a reasonable number of attempts in that period, it replaces the vehicle with one acceptable to the consumer or takes it back and refunds the full contract price with collateral charges and incidental damages, less a reasonable allowance for use up to the first notice of the problem.
| A reasonable number of attempts is presumed when, within the period |
|---|
| A reasonable number of attempts is presumed when, within the periodThe same problem was repaired three or more times and still exists |
| A reasonable number of attempts is presumed when, within the periodA serious safety defect was repaired one or more times and still exists |
| A reasonable number of attempts is presumed when, within the periodThe vehicle was out of service for repair 30 calendar days in total |
The consumer's choice. The consumer has the unconditional right to choose a refund rather than a replacement, and to keep driving the vehicle until receiving one or the other. Mileage, expenses and loss of use from the repair attempts can also be recovered.
Sources for this section (2)
- Va. Code 59.1-207.13 — Nonconformity of motor vehicles
- Va. Code 59.1-207.11 — Definitions for the Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Virginia attorney.