Owning a new car is an exciting idea hate everyone looks forward to. However, this is a major investment, and you want to get the best auto for your needs. Sometimes, this may not turn out as expected, and you may end up with a defective vehicle. Before this happens to you, it’s advisable to understand what a lemon car is and avoid purchasing one.
What is a lemon car?
This is a new or used car with major issues that resurface shortly after buying or leasing the vehicle. Legally, a car qualifies as a lemon when it has substantial defects and malfunctions despite numerous repairs. The good thing about this is that you can always return the car.
However, the General Motors lemon law involves various processes. The first step involves inspection to assess whether the car is a lemon. Other conditions include a valid warranty and numerous attempts by the manufacturer to repair the vehicle. Whether the auto is new or leased, it should be under warranty before commencing the lemon law process.
How can I avoid buying a lemon car?
- Professional inspection works!
Always perform a thorough inspection before making a purchase. Hire a skilled mechanic to help you in the process and look out for blemishes or damages to the car’s exteriors. Whether it’s a new or used auto, you should feel safe and comfortable while driving. A test drive is also vital. Do this on the road and not just at the parking area; this allows you to test the acceleration speed, braking system, and suspension. Moreover, check for unusual sounds; these include;
- Squeaking brakes
- Loud air rushing
- Grinding noises
Some sellers may hinder you from conducting a test drive, and this is a red flag.
- Check whether the car has a window sticker.
If buying a used car, ensure that it has a window sticker. This means that the vehicle has information about the previous owner. This also tells you about the warranty and many other crucial details about the auto. If the window wicker is missing, this could be a lemon and should be avoided.
Again, be watchful for cars sold as “as is.” With such vehicles, the owner will unlikely be responsible for any issues after purchase. And this can be costly; in some states, it’s even illegal to sell such cars.
- Avoid cars with too many features.
Some cars come with extra features like enhanced stereo and many other fancy additions. Always ascertain if the manufacturer has installed these. You may be inviting significant mechanical issues which may not be covered by the warranty. Again, avoid these extra features if the manufacture didn’t install them; they may lead to unnecessary and costly repairs in the future.
The bottom line
Lemon cars are common, and most GM cars won’t have experienced the issue. Although you may qualify for compensation under the lemon law, it’s advisable to have the vehicle inspected before purchase. This helps determine any problems and unusual sounds that may turn out to be significant malfunctions later on.
Leave a Reply