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Lemon Law Basics: Alabama Lemon Laws
What Are My Rights Under Alabama Lemon Law?
Who is covered?
Alabama lemon law coverage extends to new or previously owned vehicles
with a serious mechanical problem that was first reported within the first
year or first 12,000 miles of ownership, whichever comes first. Alabama
lemon law does not have provisions for people who lease their vehicles.
Covered vehicles include personal vehicles with a gross vehicle rating
of 10,000 pounds or less, such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Alabama
lemon law does not cover motor homes.
What kinds of problems are covered?
To be covered under Alabama lemon law, the vehicle's mechanical problem
must affect the value, use, or safety of the vehicle - cosmetic flaws
are not covered by lemon laws. The problem must occur during normal usage
of the vehicle. The mechanical problem is not covered by Alabama lemon
law if it occurred because of neglect on the part of the owner or as a
result of an accident involving the vehicle.
How can I make a claim?
Before you can make a claim under Alabama lemon law, you must give the
manufacturer a reasonable chance to repair the mechanical problem. A reasonable
chance is defined as three separate attempts to make the repair or the
car being in the hands of the dealer or an authorized repair shop for
a cumulative total of thirty days. Once the manufacturer has had a reasonable
chance to repair the vehicle, you must send a certified letter to the
manufacturer informing them of your intention to file under Alabama lemon
law. The manufacturer will then have one final chance to repair the problem.
What kind of settlement can I expect?
If a manufacturer has an arbitration program in place, the customer must
use that program. If the customer qualifies for protection under Alabama
lemon law, he or she can expect to be refunded for the full purchase price
of the vehicle or to receive an equivalent replacement vehicle at no additional
charge. If the refund is offered, it should include all costs including
dealer preparation charges, transportation charges, finance charges, installed
options, and a reasonable amount for incidental costs such as alternative
transportation. The manufacturer can adjust this amount based on a fair
estimation of the customer's usage of the car before the mechanical problem
was first reported. This estimation is determined by dividing the number
of miles driven before the problem was reported by 100,000, and multiplying
the result by the vehicle's full purchase price.
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