You’ve probably heard of the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code, §§ 1790 to 1795.8) (aka the “Lemon Law”). In terms of vehicle sales, in California, the Lemon Law is in place to protect consumers who purchase vehicles that come with a warranty. If a vehicle fails to comply with certain standards relating to the sale of vehicles and/or is significantly defective or cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts, the consumer may be entitled to return the vehicle, get their money back, get paid their attorneys fees and costs, as well as other forms of relief.

It is important to note that Lemon Law protection usually does not cover relief to consumers who experience the following types of issues with their vehicle:

- Wear and tear from normal use

- Modifications or alterations made after purchase

- Minor defects that do not affect vehicle performance.

The Lemon Law applies to new cars. Also, it is important to highlight that the Lemon Law is applicable to used car dealers when they sell vehicles with a dealer warranty. If the vehicle ends up having a substantial defect, you may be in trouble.

Knowing the Lemon Law guidelines can help your dealership make informed decisions when it comes to selling cars.