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07/27/2010
 Six Things You Need toDo to Avoid Buying a "Lemon"
By Norman Taylor
www.normantaylor.com
Buying a car is a biginvestment - whether it's brand new or a used car. It can also be anexciting time and thinking about possible defects in the vehicle maynot be top of the list of features you're looking for. However, the recent recalls have opened our eyes to the possibilitythat even a brand new car from a manufacturer previously consideredsafe could have a defect and turn out to be a 'lemon.'
What should you do to protect your investment and make the purchase ofyour next car a pleasant and rewarding experience?
1.Know the Car Manufacturers' StatisticsRegarding Lemon Law CasesOnce you find a car you like,check on their lemon record. Statistics are available that givethe percentage of lemon law cases by vehicle manufacturer. What to lookfor? The higher the percentage of lemon law cases compared to thenumber of vehicles sold is an indication that something is wrong. Check for recalls or recent safety issues. 2. Do your homework. If you are buying a pre-ownedvehicle, check its history. Have you ever heard the phrase 'launderedlemon ? When a car has a defect the dealer or manufacturer couldbe forced to buy it back. These cars have been known to findtheir way back onto the lot and get sold again, without the requireddisclosures. One way to check if the car youwant to buy has a 'hidden past' is to do a title search through theNational Motor Vehicle Title Information System at www.nmvtis.gov. Many states,including California, require 'lemon buyback to be included in thetitle of a vehicle.Go the extra mile with yourresearch: Find the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and research thevehicle's history. For a small fee you can get a title history fromCARFAX Vehicle History Reports, AutoCheck, Consumer Guide andothers. It's wise to check a number of sources; just because onereport is clean another might not be.3. Buy from a reputable dealer. Whether you're looking to buy anew car or a used car, it's best to go to a well-known dealer. They keep only the best trade-ins and they are usually easier to dealwith if you do happen to get a lemon.4. Check out the WarrantyWhat are the terms of the warrantyfor a new car? What exactly does it cover? And if it ispre-owned, dealers must include the FTC Buyer's Guide. Sometimes a usedvehicle is sold with a warranty and sometimes it is sold 'as is' or'with all faults'. A service contract does not confer the same rightsas a warranty so be sure to clarify exactly what you're getting. Get any form of warranty offered in writing. The conditionsshould be clearly stated, such as what percentage of labor and partsthe dealer will cover, for exactly which systems within the vehicle,and for what duration. 5. Always Take A Test DriveAlways take a test drive and makea note of any unusual squeaks or rattles. Note if the car pullsto one side.6. Have the Vehicle InspectedIf everything else checks out,before you sign on the dotted line, take the car to an independentmechanic and have the vehicle thoroughly inspected.
If you do your homework your new car should be a reliable and enjoyableasset for many years to come. Should you have the misfortune torun into difficulties with defects, remember that every state has somekind of lemon law to protect its citizens from the nightmare of adefective vehicle. You can find all the information you need inthe Lemon Law Guide.
Author Bio:
Norman Taylor has worked as aconsumer advocate specializing in California Lemon Law for morethan twenty years. Over this time his firm has handled over 8,000cases that resulted in refunds in excess of $100,000,000.00 paid toconsumers for defective vehicles. http://www.normantaylor.com. Permissiongranted foruse onDrLaura.com
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