Our California lemon law attorney at Shainfeld Law, P.C. knows that no one expects their new or used warranty-protected vehicle to start exhibiting mechanical problems as soon as they pull off the lot. The reality is, it happens more often than most think.
Part of the allure of purchasing a vehicle covered by the manufacturer’s warranty is that if something goes wrong, you do not have to pay for it. This can give owners a false sense of dealership drop-offs, assuming everything will be fine once they pick up the vehicle.
In addition, California vehicle owners assume, like with any other account they hold in 2023, that there is a digital record of it, so they do not have to keep their own.
Unfortunately, if their car, truck, or SUV does have a vehicle defect that cannot be fixed after a qualifying number of repair attempts, or has been in the repair shop for a total of 30 days or more, they are going to need documentation to pursue a California Lemon Law claim.
Our experienced lemon attorneys in Los Angeles recommend keeping records on your own, and not counting on the dealership to provide the documentation you need to pursue a claim.
What Type of Records Should California Vehicle Owners Keep?
While the dealership may have records of your maintenance records, they may not keep the “notes” that describe what is wrong with your vehicle, and how they attempted to fix it. And, quite honestly, if they feel you are going to hold the manufacturer liable for a legal remedy during a California lemon law claim, the records may disappear altogether.
Instead of relying on the dealership, keep your own vehicle defect and repair records and notes, including:
- Any seemingly one-time issues, like a window not rolling down properly, or day-to-day problems with the vehicle, including onboard electronic issues, part damage, or other major problems, when applicable.
- Maintenance records for each trip to the dealership, or other upkeep like oil changes, new tires, or other services that were not provided by the dealership.
- Correspondence with the dealership, including notes regarding what they believe is wrong with the vehicle, what they did to fix it, or attempt to fix it.
Dates, times, and names of the individuals you work with at the dealership are important when building a strong California lemon law case. In fact, the more information/documentation you have, the better.
If you believe your vehicle is exhibiting signs of a defect that cannot be fixed, gather your records, and contact our California lemon lawyer right away to address your concerns.
Contact Our Skilled California Lemon Lawyers Today for Help
We will pursue the vehicle’s manufacturer for a legal remedy that fits your needs. We have a 99% success rate, and typically produce results for our California lemon law clients in as little as 30-60 days. Contact our experienced Los Angeles County lemon law attorney at Shainfeld Law, P.C., today by calling 310-295-1888 or request a free consultation online.