Mini Lemon Law Lawyer

Is Your Mini a Lemon?

A “lemon” is a car, truck, utility vehicle, SUV, motorcycle, RV, or other vehicle type that is defective. Whether the problem started immediately when you drove the vehicle off the dealership lot or it began many months later or even years later, the defect is chronic, and mechanics can’t seem to fix it. From radio’s that don’t work to an engine that burns too much oil, there are many types of mechanical and electrical problems that can render a vehicle defective. These cars and trucks have spent too much time at the repair shop and not enough time on the road. To determine whether you have an Mini lemon law claim, talk to our California lemon law lawyers. Before being eligible to file a claim, you need to have made a “reasonable number of attempts” to get your new vehicle repaired. While the law is somewhat vague about how many trips to the mechanic constitute a “reasonable number” of repair attempts, you need to give the dealership a sincere opportunity to fix it first before commencing legal action.

The Lemon Law in California states that your Mini must have “nonconformities,” which are defined as any defect or malfunction that is covered by Honda’s original warranty. Nonconformities significantly restrict the safety, use or value of the vehicle. There are many defects that could affect the vehicle’s safety, but there is no requirement under the law that the defect actually endangers you. So, if the car has a defect with its automatic mirrors, the mere fact that they work unpredictably could be enough to be the basis of a lemon law claim.

Common defects that affect safety include:

• Engine issues
• Steering issues
• Poor acceleration
• Braking problems (not just squeaking)
• Fuel gauges and speedometer don’t work
• Electrical issues
• Battery dies regularly, or drains irregularly
• Door locks don’t work
• Transmission issues

If you are experiencing any of these problems, you may have an Mini lemon law claim. Talk to our Mini lemon law attorneys for an informed legal opinion about whether your vehicle qualifies. Call Neale & Fhima at 877-308-2128.

How Does Mini Lemon Law Buyback Work?

The process starts by filing a legal claim against the manufacturer. Our attorneys can do this for you. We expect resistance, because auto manufacturers work hard to defeat lemon law claims and reduce financial payouts. But we are aggressive and know how to win. We are not intimidated by the manufacturers’ attorneys, and we are determined to secure the best possible outcome on behalf of our clients. To prevail in an Mini lemon law claim, you will have to:

• show that the defect compromises the use, value or safety of your vehicle
• make “reasonable attempts” to have a dealership or mechanic repair the defect.

That’s why it’s important that you have proof that you attempted to have the vehicle fixed — keep all receipts, work orders and used parts from each one of your repair appointments.

Is There a Time Limit on Filing a California Lemon Law Claim?

Yes. The statute of limitations under California’s Lemon Law is four years. Generally, the sooner you file, the better. If you have purchased or leased a lemon, start collecting copies of your repair bills and call a California lemon law attorney right away. The longer you wait, the more frustrated you will become.

What About California’s Lemon Law and Used Cars?

Some used cars are covered under California’s Lemon Law, but not all. Lemon Law protections for used cars are a bit different than for new cars, so the best way to find out if your used car qualifies is to talk to a California lemon law lawyer. We can assess your unique situation and advise you about whether you can file a claim and the chances of being successful.

Which Lemon Law Remedy? The Choice is Yours.

A successful lemon law claim puts you in the driver’s seat when it comes time to select the form of compensation. Here are the two primary remedies:

Option A: Repurchase

The manufacturer will take possession of the vehicle and issue you a refund of the purchase price (reduced by the value of your use of the vehicle prior to the first repair attempt). If you financed the vehicle, the manufacturer will refund the payments, down payment, and pay off the loan. You will also receive a refund of registration fees, taxes, etc.

Option B: Replacement

The manufacturer will take possession of the vehicle and provide you with a new one. It must be an identical or substantially similar vehicle. The manufacturer will pay the registration and taxes on the new vehicle, but you will not receive a refund of fees or finance charges paid on the original vehicle. This option requires the consent of both parties.

In some circumstances, we may be able to negotiate an additional option called a “cash and keep.” This would allow you to retain possession of the vehicle and receive a cash payment to compensate for the defect.

Call Neale & Fhima Today

If you are having difficulty with repairs at the dealership, contact our nearest office for a consultation. We have locations in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dana Point, and San Diego. Or you can call 877-308-2128 to speak with us from anywhere in the state. Either way, the consultation is free. We look forward to serving you.

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.