It's tough to think about it- a major investment like a car, and it turns out to be a lemon! But it happens, now and then. Consumers sometimes enter into a raw deal. And within a few months into a purchase, the vehicle is already stationary.
But everything is not as disappointing. If you reside in Washington, the Washington State Lemon Laws works in your favor.
The tenets of Washington State Lemon Law provisions cover vehicle owners who have frequent problems with warranty repairs. The law grants vehicle owners the right to request arbitration hearings through the Lemon Law Administration of the Attorney General's Office.
This process can help vehicle owners avoid substantial financial losses. Let's learn more.
When do Cars Qualify as a Lemon?
As per Washington State Lemon Law, your vehicle may qualify as a lemon if it has one or more severe defects. It is provided that the defects are subject to a reasonable number of attempts to diagnose or repair the problem under manufacturer's warranty. The law only includes defects that considerably impair the use, price, or safe use of a vehicle.
Having a reasonable number of attempts requires a manufacturer to buy back or replace a 'nonconformity' vehicle or serious safety defects. However, the appropriate number of attempts varies for each claim of a different category.
A person who is an aggrieved owner can request arbitration under the Lemon Law any time within thirty months from the vehicle's original delivery date.
Can future owners ask for arbitration?
Future owners of a vehicle can also go in for arbitration if
1 - The vehicle was bought within two years of delivery to the original retail consumer
2 - within the first 24,000 miles of operation of the vehicle
3 - The vehicle meets other eligibility requirements, and
4 - An arbitration request is made within 30 months of the original delivery
About vehicles that do not get a cover include the following
1 - Vehicles purchased or leased by the business as part of a fleet of 10 or more
2 - Motorcycles with engine displacement less than 750 cubic centimeters; however, motorcycle with a larger engine gets a cover.
3 - Trucks weighing more than 19,000 pounds
4 - Motor homes with faults in housing, office, or business space
It's essential to understand that all laws favor the aggrieved customer in every possible way. All one has to do is be under the scope of the law and meet all criteria.
To wrap it up
In case of any grievances, you can approach lemon law attorneys to chalk out a future course of action under the State Lemon Law in Washington.
Andrew Richardson is the author of this Article. To know more about Lemon Law in Michigan please visit our website: allenstewart.com
