Seven Steps to getting rid of your Lemon

1. Take the vehicle to the dealer each time your encounter a given problem
I have found that many people fail to take the vehicle in to the dealer for repairs because they either don't have time, it's too inconvenient, ect... but this is a very important step in the process. State lemon laws all provide that the dealer/manufacturer must be given a reasonable opportunity to repair the defects.

2. Be sure that the Service Department lists all of your complaints on the repair order.
I have found this one to be troublesome. Many times, consumers take their vehicles in for repair and tell the service advisor the problems that are being encountered. The service advisor may fail to list all of the complaints with the vehicle. At trial, if the complaint is not listed on the repair order, it becomes a he said/she/said matter to determine whether the dealer had an opportunity to repair.

3. Get a copy of the repair order.
I have found that many times, the consumer fails to receive a copy of the repair order. Under most state laws, the dealer is required to give you a copy of the repair order each time you take the vehicle in for servicing.

4. Hire an attorney.
This one is a no-brainer. All states have lemon laws on the books, and most of those lemon laws provide that the manufacturer must pay your attorney fees. In that regard, you end up with free legal representation. If your attorney asks you for an up front retainer for a lemon law case, ask him why.

by Greg Artim