When buying a new vehicle, there are several legal considerations that you need to keep in mind. First, you need to be aware of the lemon law in your state. This law protects consumers if they purchase a defective vehicle from a manufacturer or dealer.
If you have repeated problems with your new car that cannot be fixed under warranty, you can probably file a claim under your state’s lemon law.
In addition, you should be familiar with your state’s emissions testing requirements. All states require some emissions testing, and failure to pass this test can result in fines or even the seizure of your vehicle.
Finally, make sure that you know your state’s title transfer laws. Specific steps must be taken when transferring ownership of a car, and not following these steps can lead to legal problems.
1. The Lemon Laws
If you bought a lemon
Nearly all states have some form of “lemon” law, which is a law that protects consumers from purchasing defective vehicles which cannot be repaired. If you have repeated problems with your new car, you may file a claim under your state’s lemon law. To qualify for a claim under the lemon law, your vehicle must meet specific requirements.
For example, your car must be considered a lemon, meaning it has been defective for a certain amount of time. In addition, the problem with your car must have been reported to the dealer within the warranty period, and the dealer must have attempted a repair on at least one occasion and failed.
If your vehicle meets these requirements, you may be able to file a lemon law claim against the manufacturer or the dealer. If you are successful, the manufacturer will be required to either repurchase the vehicle, reimburse you for the cost of the repairs and possibly pay other damages.
Getting an experienced lemon law lawyer can help you make lemonade out of a lemon.
Examples of current lemon law claims
- Jeep “Death Wobble” Class Action Lawsuit and Settlement
- GM Oil Consumption Class Action and Settlement Update
- Class Action Lawsuit Over Hyundai Battery Defect
2. Emissions Testing
All states require some form of emissions testing, and failure to pass this test can result in fines or even the seizure of your vehicle. The purpose of emissions testing is to ensure that cars pollute the air at only a minimal level.
In most states, emissions testing is mandatory for all vehicles, regardless of age or make. The type of emissions test required depends on the state in which you reside. For example, some states require an inspection of the vehicle’s exhaust system, while other states test the number of pollutants that the car emits.
A consumer lawyer can help you if you have been ticketed or your vehicle seized due to a failed emissions test.
3. Title Transfer Laws
When you purchase a new vehicle, specific steps must be taken to transfer ownership of the vehicle. Not following these steps can lead to legal problems.
In most states, the title must be transferred within a certain amount of time after the sale of the vehicle. If the title is not assigned within this period, the seller may be held liable for any damages after the sale.
In addition, the new owner of the vehicle may not be able to register the vehicle or obtain insurance. It is essential to familiarize yourself with your state’s title transfer laws before purchasing a new car.
To sum it up, these are just a few of the legal considerations that you need to keep in mind when purchasing a new vehicle. They include the lemon law, emissions testing, and title transfer laws.
