Lemon Law Buyback Process

If you purchase or lease a vehicle, you have certain expectations about how well the car or truck will perform. Conversely, there can be times when a vehicle you buy performs well below your expectations. Thankfully, California’s lemon law buyback can help you out.

At Neale & Fhima, we know about California’s lemon law buyback process. If you are dealing with a lemon in California, reach out to our team today. An attorney from our team can teach you about California lemon law buyback and help you move forward with your lemon law claim.

Why Choose Us

Neale & Fhima lemon law attorneys are among the best and the brightest in California. We have an outstanding 99% record of success in handling lemon law claims for our clients. The team at Neale & Fhima is committed to each client’s case, and we give you our full attention.

Here are a few of the reasons you should choose our firm.

We Know the Law

California’s lemon law is a fine example of how the state legislature empowers consumers. When it comes to clarity, however, the text of the lemon law leaves much to be desired. Our attorneys understand the intricacies of the statute and many court opinions interpreting it and can share our legal knowledge and insights with you.

We Value Client Relationships

High-volume law offices think of clients as nothing more than a case file. The file gets passed around until it ends up with a paralegal who just wants to finish it and move on. We enjoy getting to know our clients, which helps us create a settlement that aligns with your best interests.

We Have Many Years of Experience in Lemon Law Cases in California

There is no need to settle for a lemon law attorney that lacks comprehensive case experience. Our attorneys have over 40 years of combined experience representing clients throughout California. We know what it takes to win or settle a lemon law case and will do everything we can to help you achieve your desired case result.

We Have an Outstanding Track Record in Lemon Law Cases

Our success rate is unmatched by many lemon law attorneys in California. We continue to look for ways to improve, too. With our help, you can position yourself for success in your lemon law case.

We Offer Free Consultations

If you are uncertain about whether to move forward with your lemon law case, there is no need to worry. You can meet with a lemon law attorney from our team for free. Following the consultation, you may quickly discover why we are a top law firm for those needing a lemon law attorney in California.

We Make Sure You Know What You Are Getting with Us

A handful of manufacturers dominate the U.S. auto market. We repeatedly go up against these same companies. This allows us to anticipate how they will respond to claims involving specific models and mechanical defects.

How We Can Help

You may have questions about California lemon law buyback and how the state’s buyback program works. Fortunately, our team’s California lemon law attorney can answer your questions. Our lawyer allocates the time, energy, and resources necessary to make sure you know what to expect during your lemon law case.

To date, our team has helped California residents in lemon law cases involving nearly all car manufacturers that sell cars in California, including, but not limited to:

• Acura
• Audi
• Chevrolet
• Cadillac
• GMC
• Dodge
• Jeep
• Honda
• Ford
• Volkswagen
• Tesla
• Volvo
• Lincoln
• Land Rover
• Porsche
• Chrysler
• Hyundai.

If you want legal help with a lemon law claim against any of these manufacturers or others, we are here for you. A California lemon law attorney from our team can review your case. Next, we can help you take legal action against the manufacturer and ensure you receive plenty of legal help with your lemon law claim.

Understanding The Lemon Law Buyback Process

At first glance, the lemon law buyback process in California may seem like it is more trouble than it is worth. Yet, when you have an experienced lemon law attorney in California at your side, you are in good hands. Your lawyer can explain the steps of the lemon law buyback process in detail and respond to any questions or concerns you have about it.

The California lemon law buyback process consists of the following steps:

1. Attempt to get your vehicle repaired and save all your work orders and receipts.
2. Hire a skilled lemon law lawyer in California to represent you.
3. Let your attorney file a claim against your vehicle manufacturer to notify them about your vehicle problems.
4. Allow your attorney to calculate the buyback amount that you can receive.
5. Enable your attorney to negotiate with the manufacturer.
6. Receive the compensation you deserve.

Neale & Fhima can walk you through the buyback process for lemons in California. If you partner with a lemon law attorney from our team, you should expect aggressive legal representation. Our lawyer will work hard to ensure you get the optimal result from your lemon law claim.

How Does the Buyback Program Work?

California’s lemon law buyback program is based on the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. If you purchase a defective vehicle, you are entitled to a refund, or the vehicle can be replaced at the manufacturer’s expense. At the same time, you must prove your vehicle is a lemon according to legal guidelines.

Some defects do not qualify for a lemon law claim in California. Before filing a claim, you must have made a “reasonable” number of attempts to fix the car or truck. This means you should make sure your repair attempts are made at an authorized dealership rather than by a neighborhood mechanic.

Even if you follow through on the steps of the buyback program, there can still be times when your vehicle is not repaired correctly. If this happens, the manufacturer will repurchase or replace your vehicle. There can be times when a manufacturer negotiates a cash settlement for your vehicle.

Making Sense of The Lemon Law Buyback Program in California

Very often, consumers worry that the specifics of their lemon law claim may not quite fit the exact guidelines of the lemon law as it is written. Do not stress over this. An experienced lemon law attorney learns about your situation and can let you know if you are eligible for support under the Song-Beverly Act.

A lemon law attorney can discuss how manufacturer buyback works before you move forward with a claim. The lawyer can explain how the lemon law in California applies to new, used, and leased vehicles. As a result, the attorney can give you the information you need to submit a successful lemon law claim.

Of course, do not expect a lemon law claim in California to get resolved immediately. Your attorney will continue to keep you updated as your claim progresses. If you want to know more about value and how it applies to lemon law buyback, your lawyer can explain.

Lemon Law Buyback Value in California

Generally, if you have a valid lemon law claim, the manufacturer will buy back your vehicle for the entire amount you paid for it. This includes:

• Money for your initial down payment.
• All of the monthly payments you have made so far.
• Sales tax.
• Interest charges.
• Collateral charges.
• Compensation to pay off the balance of your car loan.
• Incidental or consequential expenses, such as rental car fees.

The manufacturer is not responsible for any late fees you may have incurred if you did not make your car payments on time. Also, if your vehicle’s problems did not start immediately when you drove the vehicle off the dealership’s lot, a mileage-use reduction formula will apply for the number of miles you have driven the vehicle before the vehicle was brought in for repair for the defect.. To understand how this formula works, we can provide an example.

You can purchase a vehicle for $50,000, and mechanical problems may begin when the odometer reads 10,000 miles. In this scenario, you will have to compensate the dealer for the value of the 10,000 miles, this amount will be deducted from your settlement check.

This total is $4,167 less than the purchase price, calculated by dividing the odometer reading at the time the mechanical problems begin by 120,000 and multiplying it by the purchase price.

How The Lemon Law Statute of Limitations in California Works

The statute of limitations for filing a lemon law claim in California is four years from the date you knew or should have known that the vehicle was a lemon. This does not mean that you cannot bring a lemon law claim if you have had your vehicle for more than four years. In some instances, people have been able to resolve lemon law claims with vehicles over 10 years old.

If you have purchased or leased a lemon, you should start the buyback process immediately. After the statute of limitations has passed, a judge may dismiss your case. At this time, you are fully responsible for any costs to repair any vehicle defects, even if you did not cause them.

Any time you have questions about the lemon law statute of limitations in California, consult with an attorney. This allows you to find out if you are still eligible to file a lemon law claim. If so, your attorney may encourage you to collect copies of your repair bills, work orders, and other evidence to support your case.

How Long It Takes to Complete the Lemon Law Buyback Process

A lemon law claim often can be resolved in as little as 30 days. Sometimes, it can take months or longer if a manufacturer is balking or if there are complexities in your specific case. The more experienced your attorney, the more smoothly and efficiently the process goes.

The California lemon law is open for interpretation. This can make resolving a lemon law claim difficult, even if you feel your case is easy to understand. With help from a lemon law lawyer, you can avoid delays that otherwise prevent you from resolving your case.

A lemon law attorney makes navigating the buyback process simple for their client. The lawyer provides their client with regular updates throughout the process. In the best-case scenario, the lawyer can present a compelling argument and help them receive fair compensation for their vehicle.

Challenges That Can Come Up During the Lemon Law Buyback Process

You are responsible for showing that your vehicle has a “substantial” defect. Examples of substantial defects include, but are not limited to:

• Defective brakes.
• Engine defects.
• Transmission defects.
• Faulty steering.
• Air conditioning (AC) defects.
• Noise problems.
• Battery defects.
• The vehicle frequently stalls.
• Navigation and Radio defects
• Headlights or taillights malfunction.
• Electrical problems.

There are many more substantial defects than those listed above. If a defect affects your vehicle’s value, use, or safety, and is substantial, then you may have a lemon law claim. Connect with a lemon law attorney for people dealing with a substantial vehicle defect. Then, your lawyer can confirm if your vehicle defect is substantial and help you determine how to proceed.

You may find that a substantial defect remains unresolved, even though you have tried to have your vehicle repaired multiple times. At this point, getting legal help is key. A lemon law lawyer can work with you to ensure you can take advantage of California’s buyback program.

Tips for Choosing a Lawyer to Represent You in A Lemon Law Buyback Case

As you consider hiring an attorney for your lemon law case, finding one that understands the ins and outs of California legislation and the California court system is paramount. This attorney has helped clients in many areas of California. The lawyer leaves no stone unturned in their efforts to help clients secure compensation in lemon law disputes.

Meeting with an attorney to discuss your lemon law case is a good idea. This lets you provide the attorney with information about your case and what you want to accomplish. Meanwhile, the lawyer can explain how they can help you win or settle your case.

Lastly, it helps to hire an attorney that values communication and collaboration. This lawyer engages with their clients and ensures they receive ample support throughout their litigation. The attorney also verifies that their clients do not have to settle for inferior case results.

Call Neale & Fhima Now to Get Your Buyback Started

The team at Neale & Fhima can put our legal experience to work for you in your lemon law buyback case.

Attorney Aaron Fhima

Attorney Aaron Fhima is a trial attorney who has secured numerous settlements and verdicts against large corporations and some of the largest auto manufacturers in the world. Representing consumers and injury victims throughout the state of California, Aaron’s practice areas include personal injury, and lemon law litigation. Aaron has a long record of success taking on large defense firms; and he doesn’t hesitate to take cases to trial when necessary to enforce his clients’ rights.