California’s lemon law gives you three possible outcomes. We’ll tell you which one fits your car.
A refund
Also called a buyback
The manufacturer buys the car back. You get back what you paid, including your down payment and monthly payments, and your loan or lease is paid off. A small amount may be taken off for the miles you drove before the first repair.
A replacement
A new car of the same kind
The manufacturer gives you a new vehicle that is substantially the same as yours, and covers related costs such as sales tax and registration fees.
Cash, and keep the car
Often called cash and keep
If you would rather keep driving it, the manufacturer may pay you money for the trouble and the value the car has lost. The car stays yours.
Every case is different, and no result is guaranteed. We’ll explain your options before you decide anything.
Why it costs you nothing
If you win, the manufacturer pays our fees, so you pay nothing.
California’s lemon law, the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, was written to protect buyers. If you win, the law makes the manufacturer pay your attorney fees and costs. That rule is in Civil Code section 1794(d).
So you can stand up to a car company without paying a lawyer out of your own pocket.
