Learn About California’s Lemon Law From a Toyota Dealer

1. May 19, 2017 Learn About California’s Lemon Law From a Toyota Dealer Image 1: Learn About The Song-Beverly Warranty Rights From a Toyota Dealer Buying a new car is both an exciting and a nerve-wracking prospect, as you’re trusting the vehicle you’re purchasing is a reliable one. With the average new car costing $33,666, you need to know that you can trust your car dealer. While no reputable car dealer will deliberately sell you a lemon, it’s important to understand exactly where you stand if your vehicle does require extensive and repeated repairs. Page | 1

2. What am I Covered By? The Song-Beverly warranty is the legal cover new car owners receive from the state, and it provides protection for those who lease or buy new vehicles. This law states that if the manufacturer or authorized dealer is not able to service or repair a problem with a new vehicle to meet the terms of a written warranty after a reasonable number of repair attempts, the manufacturer is required to either replace the vehicle or return the purchase price to the consumer. The law also gives the consumer freedom to choose between a refund or a replacement unit. No matter which option they choose, the manufacturer remains liable to pay for costs such as sales tax, license, registration and other official fees. This law applies for the entire duration of your car’s warranty, but it doesn’t apply if the damage to the vehicle was caused by abuse on your part. You have to ensure, then, that the terms of the warranty are fulfilled when it comes to the maintenance of your vehicle. The Lemon Law Provision The Song-Beverly warranty offers great cover for new car buyers, but it doesn’t specify a reasonable number of attempted repairs. Luckily, California’s Lemon Law provides a remotely close answer. A vehicle is considered a lemon if it meets the specified stipulations within the first 18 months of delivery to the customer, or it has done less than 18,000 miles (whichever occurs first). The guidelines state that a car is a lemon if the manufacturer has made two or more attempts at repairing a warranty problem that may likely result in death or serious bodily injury. A car is also considered a lemon if the manufacturer has made four or more attempts to repair a general Page | 2

3. warranty problem, or the vehicle has been out of service for more than 30 days while being repaired for a warranty problem. Finally, a car is considered a lemon if the issues substantially reduce the car's value, usability, or safety to the consumer. Now that you know a basic guideline of the Song-Beverly warranty and the lemon law in California, you can better protect yourself against large financial losses when you’re buying a new car by choosing a garage that doesn’t sell lemons. About Toyota of Orange: Toyota of Orange is a Toyota dealer you can trust, and we’re confident that you won’t end up with a lemon. If you’d like a visit a dealerthat’s knowledgeable, honest and has a proven track record of matching happy clients with their dream vehicles, contact us to make an appointment to test drive or find out more. Sources: Lemon-aid for Consumers, DCA.ca Buying and Maintaining a Car, OAG.ca Page | 3