Summary of Virginia Lemon Law
Virginia’s lemon laws state that if the buyer or lessee of a vehicle finds a major fault in it – which the manufacturers are unable to fix even after 3 valid attempts by the vehicle manufacturer to repair it – the manufacturer is liable to repurchase or replace the faulty vehicle. This law applies to the vehicle throughout its express warranty period, and if the vehicle is still under its warranty period and meets the eligibility criteria as specified by Virginia’s state laws, the owner of the vehicle can claim their lemon aid and demand the manufacturers to provide them with the necessary reimbursement, in the form of a refund or replacement of the faulty vehicle through arbitration. The repurchase costs will also cover any additional costs the owner underwent while purchasing the vehicle.
Lemon Eligibility in Virginia
In order to be eligible for a lemon aid, the defect should be reported within the 18-month warranty period starting from the day when the vehicle has been brought to the first owner. This eligibility period will be extended if the nonconformity has been notified while the problem has yet to be fixed after the eligibility period’s expiry.
Nonconforming Conditions of Lemon Law in Virginia
Firstly, the defect should significantly impair the vehicle’s usage, market value, or safety. Minor conditions will be ruled out. Second, the defect should not be the direct result of abuse, neglect, oir unauthorized modification of the consumer.
Virginia Lemon Law Repairs
The manufacturer has a minimum number of valid attempts before they can be held liable under the lemon law. This minimum number depends upon the nature of the defect being repaired. Generally, the lemon law can be invoked if the problem persists after three or more valid attempts. Meanwhile, the manufacturer can be held liable after a single valid attempt if a problem that significantly affects the safety of using the vehicle persists.
The consumer can also file for a lemon aid if the manufacturer has been repairing the vehicle for a cumulative minimum of 30 days. However, this minimum may be adjusted if a natural disaster affects the manufacturer’s capacity to fix or deliver the broken vehicle.
Lemon Law Compensation in Virginia
A manufacturer liable under the lemon law should provide a replacement vehicle to the consumer or refund its full price. The refund also includes the collateral cost and incidental damages. A reasonable allowance for mileage will be deducted on the final refund price. As for lessees, the refund will include the amount of money paid by the lessee to the lessor.
Furthermore, the consumer may keep using the defect vehicle while waiting for compensation.
Virginia Lemon Law on Used Vehicles
Virginia’s lemon law also covers used vehicles, provided that everything occurs within the 18-month eligibility period. Otherwise, the manufacturer will no longer be held liable under the lemon law.
Other Virginia Laws