Lemon Law and Luxury Cars: Are You Protected?

Los Angeles is the land of dreams. For many, that dream includes driving a luxury automobile. Whether it’s a Rolls Royce, “Benz,” Jaguar, Lexus, or BMW, it’s one way to say you’ve arrived. But when that dream ride turns out to be plagued with problems, it can become an expensive nightmare.

Though some luxury vehicles require more frequent maintenance because of their complex technology and high-end components, they are not inherently unreliable. Some cars are shipped from the factory with problems. Meanwhile, the cost of servicing a luxury car piles up quickly because they often require specialized parts or specially trained mechanics.

If your dream car spends more time in the shop than it does in Los Angeles traffic, you can take steps to make things right. A luxury car with problems that cannot be repaired may be a lemon. And if your high-end vehicle’s issues meet certain criteria, California’s Lemon Law protects you and your investment.

At The Barry Law Firm, we’ve helped thousands of car owners and lessees take advantage of the protections offered by California’s Lemon Law. If your vehicle has irreparable problems covered under the original warranty, we can help you force the manufacturer to buy it back and pay your other costs – regardless of its make, model, or purchase price.

You’re at the top of your game, and you deserve the rewards that come with it. But you’re not beyond help when you’ve been saddled with a defective car. Our experienced team of Lemon Law lawyers can help you demand the compensation you are entitled to.

Call us today or contact us online for your FAST and FREE case review.

The California Lemon Law for Luxury Cars

California’s Lemon Law says that if a reasonable number of repair attempts fail to resolve a substantial defect in a car that is covered by the original manufacturer’s warranty, the vehicle is considered a lemon. The owner or lessee has the right to demand that the manufacturer buy the vehicle back.

A “reasonable number” of repair attempts will depend on the claim:

• Defects posing a significant danger: Two or more attempts to fix the problem are typically considered reasonable.
• Less severe defects: Manufacturers may be entitled to more than two attempts to fix the problem.
• Vehicle out of service for an inordinate amount of time: In certain circumstances, your vehicle may automatically qualify as a lemon.

How your case is resolved will depend on the specific details. However, the common types of damages in Lemon Law cases include:

• Refunds for any payments towards the vehicle’s purchase price, including down payments and subsequent monthly payments made
• The remaining loan balance
• Your repair attempt costs
• Compensation for incidental costs, such as tow services and rental cars
• Reimbursement for sales taxes, registration fees, and other related costs
• All legal fees

The Barry Law Firm will pursue your case without charging you for our legal work, no matter the outcome. We will investigate and file your claim, negotiate with the manufacturer, and represent you in court if necessary. California law requires auto manufacturers to pay the consumer’s legal fees in successful Lemon Law claims – and we’ll never charge you anything, no matter the outcome of your case.

What You Need to Know About Luxury Cars and the Lemon Law

California’s Lemon Law applies to all kinds of vehicles, regardless of make, model, price, or manufacturer. However, the issue must be covered by the manufacturer’s original warranty and not be caused by the owner’s misuse, abuse, or alterations, such as adding after-market parts.

The Lemon Law provides relief for car owners and lessees whose vehicles have substantial, unrepairable defects that significantly impair the vehicle’s:

• Use, meaning the defect substantially impacts the vehicle’s basic function as reliable transportation, or
• Value, meaning the defect significantly diminishes the vehicle’s overall market value, or
• Safety, meaning a defect that poses a serious risk to the driver or passengers

A qualifying defect must have first occurred and been reported during the original warranty period. If the warranty expires while the owner is trying to get repairs (or pursuing a claim), a Lemon Law claim remains valid.

It is important to understand that the Lemon Law does not apply to repairs covered by an extended warranty. An extended warranty is essentially a service contract that covers repairs on vehicles after the original manufacturer’s warranty has expired.

Protecting Your Investment: Tips for Los Angeles Luxury Car Owners

If you plan to pursue a Lemon Law claim for your luxury car, documentation of your vehicle’s under-warranty defect and the manufacturer’s repeated failure to correct it will be key to your success. You should:

• Review your vehicle’s warranty. Make sure the problem with your car is covered by the original warranty. If you have taken it to the dealership for repairs, they have probably told you whether it was covered. Still, confirm it for yourself.
• Record your vehicle’s problem and the multiple failed repair attempts. Gather all relevant repair orders, invoices, and correspondence with the dealership or manufacturer about repair attempts.
• Document collateral costs and losses you’ve suffered because of the lemon. This means bills and receipts for towing, rental cars, and repairs.

When Do I Need a Lemon Law Attorney?

If your luxury car is a lemon, you will benefit from having an attorney to navigate the intricacies of California’s Lemon Law and effectively present your case. There are multiple steps a consumer must take before filing a lawsuit against the manufacturer of a defective vehicle. Missing any required steps or making mistakes as you file a Lemon Law claim can force you back to the starting point, wasting time and money.

A lawsuit must be prepared and filed correctly. It must demonstrate that your vehicle has had a persistent problem that was under the original warranty and damaged its use, safety, or value. You also have to show that you’ve cooperated with the manufacturer by giving them multiple opportunities to repair your vehicle. Your lawsuit must then withstand being attacked by the car manufacturer’s legal team.

This is the work of an experienced attorney backed by a legal team. The Barry Law Firm and its team of attorneys focus exclusively on California Lemon Law claims. We can help you pursue a Lemon Law claim by:

• Evaluating your case: We’ll meet with you and review your vehicle’s repair records and other documents to determine whether you have a Lemon Law claim.
• Preparing a filing: We’ll make sure you take the steps required to pursue a California Lemon Law claim.
• Gathering and preparing evidence: If you don’t have documentation to strengthen your case, we can help obtain it. We can also research and compile information about similar problems or recalls with vehicles like yours. For many cases, we enlist expert witnesses who can explain automotive defects (such as mechanical problems, electrical problems, faulty brakes, or steering) in depositions and testimony.
• Negotiating with the manufacturer: We can often negotiate a settlement to a Lemon Law claim and avoid going to trial. We will present all reasonable settlement offers to you with our advice, but whether to settle will be your decision. A case may be settled at any time before the jury returns a verdict.
• Advocating for you in court: If your Lemon Law claim must go to court, we will present a compelling and persuasive case on your behalf. We will also anticipate the manufacturer’s argument in its defense and be prepared to counter it effectively.
• Maximizing your recovery: We’ll work to document all of your recoverable losses. In addition to a refund of what you have paid for the vehicle, you also have a right to compensation for towing, rental cars, and other out-of-pocket costs incurred because of your defective vehicle.

When you engage The Barry Law Firm to pursue a California Lemon Law claim for you, you will be supported by a legal team intent on winning the case and seeking full compensation for you. Because California law requires auto manufacturers to pay the consumer’s legal fees in successful Lemon Law claims, you’ll never see a bill for our services.

Call Today for a Free Consultation About Your Luxury Vehicle’s Defects

The Barry Law Firm in Los Angeles can help you exercise your rights under the California Lemon Law if you have purchased or leased a luxury automobile that has proven to be defective. We’ll help you demand everything you have invested in a lemon and do it at no charge to you.

The aggressive and experienced litigators at The Barry Law Firm focus solely on California Lemon Law claims. Contact us today for a fast and free consultation and skilled representation as you pursue compensation for a faulty luxury vehicle.