When drivers hear that California’s Lemon Law includes a “30-day rule,” many assume their vehicle must be in the shop for 30 days straight before they qualify for a buyback. In reality, the law is far more consumer-friendly. The 30-day standard looks at cumulative downtime, not consecutive days, and even a single extended repair visit may be enough to trigger lemon law protections.
Understanding how these days are counted and why downtime is so significant can make the difference between another service appointment and a successful claim.
What the 30-Day Rule Actually Says
Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a vehicle may qualify as a lemon if it spends 30 or more total days in the repair shop for warranty-covered issues.
Those days can be:
- Spread across multiple visits.
- Caused by parts delays, backorders, or extended diagnostics.
- Accumulated even while the dealership says they are “waiting for authorization.”
In other words: You do not need 30 uninterrupted days. You need 30 days total.
Cumulative Downtime: How Days Are Counted
Courts and manufacturers must count every day your vehicle is unavailable due to a warranty repair.
Including:
- Days waiting for parts.
- Days parked at the dealership while technicians diagnose the issue.
- Days when the dealer says they “could not duplicate” the concern.
- Days when the vehicle is on the lot, even if no work is being performed.
If the vehicle is at the dealership for any reason related to the defect, it counts.
Example of cumulative downtime:
- Visit 1: 5 days for warning lights
Visit 2: 12 days for sensor calibration issues
Visit 3: 4 days for the same warning returning
Visit 4: 10 days waiting for parts.
Total downtime = 31 days → potential lemon law claim, even though no visit exceeded two weeks.
How a Single Long Repair Visit Can Qualify
A vehicle does not need multiple repair attempts to meet the 30-day rule. If one visit stretches past 30 days—due to backorders, complex diagnostics, or delays beyond your control—you may already qualify.
Common reasons for extended visits include:
- Shortages of electronic modules.
- Backordered safety-related components.
- Extended software troubleshooting.
- Repeated test drives without resolution.
- Manufacturer disputes about approved repairs.
A consumer is not required to wait indefinitely. The law recognizes that excessive downtime itself is a substantial impairment to use and value.
How to Protect Your Claim When Your Vehicle Spends Too Long in the Shop
To strengthen a potential lemon law case, owners should document every day the vehicle is unavailable.
That includes:
- Keeping all repair orders and pickup/drop-off paperwork.
- Asking the dealer to note the dates the vehicle arrived and left.
- Tracking the number of days yourself in a simple log.
- Saving emails or texts from service advisors explaining delays.
- Requesting written confirmation when the dealership blames parts shortages or backorders.
If the vehicle is sitting at the dealership with “no ETA for parts,” those days count.
When to Involve a California Lemon Law Attorney
A vehicle does not have to reach day 30 to start building a claim. If you see slow progress, repeated delays, or a pattern of extended repair visits, it’s wise to speak with a lemon law attorney early. Many cases qualify before the 30-day mark because the defect also affects safety or value.
The benefit for California consumers: Attorney’s fees are paid by the manufacturer when the case succeeds, not by the vehicle owner.
Get Help If Your Vehicle Has Spent Too Much Time in the Shop
If your car, SUV, or truck has been stuck at the dealership for an extended period or has accumulated repeated downtime over several visits, you may be entitled to a buyback, replacement, or cash compensation under California’s Lemon Law.
Our Los Angeles lemon law attorney helps California drivers document downtime, analyze repair history, and pursue the strongest possible claim. Call 949-294-9153 today or contact us online for a free consultation. If your vehicle has spent too much time in the shop, you don’t have to wait any longer to get answers.