How To Get a Refund or Exchange
If you’ve ever bought a car and later discovered it was a “lemon,” you know how frustrating it is to deal with constant repairs and breakdowns. Fortunately, Arizona has a law that protects consumers who buy defective cars. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about Arizona’s lemon law and how to get a refund or replacement for your defective car.
What Is the Arizona Lemon Law?
The Arizona Lemon law is designed to protect car buyers who purchase a new or used vehicle that turns out to be defective. Under the law, the seller must repair or replace the car if it has a significant defect that reduces its use, safety, or value. If the seller cannot fix the problem after a reasonable number of attempts, the law requires the seller to return or replace the vehicle.
What Is Considered “Lemon” in Arizona?
For a car to be considered a “lemon” in Arizona, it must have a significant defect that reduces its use, safety, or value. The seller’s warranty must cover this defect and occur within the first two years of ownership or before the vehicle reaches 24,000 miles. In addition, the seller must have attempted to repair the defect at least four times, or the car must have been out of service for at least 30 days.
Steps You Can Take if You Have a Lemon Car
- If you believe you have a “lemon” car, you can take several steps to protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve:
- Keep a detailed record of all repairs and maintenance performed on your car, including the dates, a description, and the dealer or mechanic who performed the work.
- Notify the seller. Contact the vehicle’s seller in writing and inform them of the problem with your car. Be sure to include a description of the problem, the date of the first repair attempt, and the number of repair attempts.
- Give the seller a reasonable opportunity to repair the vehicle. In Arizona, the seller has four attempts or 30 days to fix the problem.
- Ask to buy back or replace the car. If the seller cannot repair the car, you may be entitled to buy back or return the vehicle. Be sure to keep a detailed record of your communications with the seller and any suggestions made by the seller.
- Consult an Attorney. If you have difficulty getting the compensation you deserve, it may be time to consult an attorney specializing in lemon law cases.
Exceptions to the Arizona Lemon Law
The Arizona Lemon Law does not cover the following situations:
- The sale of a vehicle when the buyer intends to resell it for profit
- Vehicles with a stated gross weight exceeding 10,000 pounds
- Vehicles sold through a public auction
However, if your case falls into one of these excluded categories, you may still have protection under other laws or legal provisions. The Arizona Lemon Law provides consumer rights and any rights detailed in your purchase contract, any manufacturer’s new vehicle warranty, or other relevant legal statutes. The Arizona Lemon Law is in Arizona Revised Statutes (Chapter 9, Article 5, 44-1261 through 44-1267).