At Shainfeld Law, P.C., our California lemon law attorney in Los Angeles knows there are a lot of questions, and quite a bit of confusion, about how the California Lemon Law works.
Even when California consumers know how a “lemon” is defined, they may not know if it applies to their particular circumstances. That is especially true for those who have leased a vehicle.
Technically, leasing a car means the driver is basically renting it for a specific and limited time, before returning it. That does not change the fact that the Lemon Law applies to lessees too.
If you have leased a defective vehicle in California, under the state’s lemon law, you could be entitled to a refund or replacement vehicle, too.
Is Your Leased Vehicle a Lemon?
A California vehicle can be a lemon, whether it is new, used, or leased, if it meets the legal criteria.
The first, and most important, factor is that the vehicle is covered by a manufacturer’s warranty. This is almost always true for leased vehicles, and it is often one of the vehicle’s “selling” points.
The advantages of a lease and a warranty for the duration of its ownership mean the lessee will not have to pay for maintenance or repairs.
This also means, if the vehicle’s defect qualifies, you may be eligible to file a lemon law claim in California.
To qualify as a lemon, the leased vehicle must:
- Impair your ability to drive the vehicle safely.
- Have been examined by the manufacturer during a “reasonable” number of attempts to fix the vehicle issue.
OR
- Have been out of service for more than 30 non-consecutive days.
If the vehicle is not under warranty or was leased “as is” it does not qualify as a lemon.
How Much Does It Cost to File a Lemon Law Claim for a Leased Vehicle in California?
The lemon law requirements for leased cars in California are the same as those for new or used vehicles purchased with a warranty.
That includes the fact that you — the consumer — do not pay any legal fees when you file a claim through a California lemon law attorney.
The manufacturer will be responsible for all legal fees if we win your claim. With our Los Angeles lemon law firm’s 99% success rate, you have nothing to lose by partnering with Shainfeld Law, P.C. We typically produce results for our California lemon law clients in as little as 30-60 days, so you can move forward with a vehicle buyback or replacement solution sooner than later.
Contact our experienced Los Angeles lemon law attorney at Shainfeld Law, P.C., today by calling 888-609-2593 or request a free consultation online.