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Lemon Law Basics: Washington, DCLemon Laws
Summary of Washington, DC Lemon Law
What vehicles are covered under District of Columbia lemon law?
Washington, DC lemon law covers new and used vehicles that are used to
transport people on public roads. Qualified vehicles must be sold or registered
in the District. Leased vehicles are also covered under the lemon law,
but public transportation vehicles and motor homes are excluded.
What protections do I have under Washington, DC lemon law?
District of Columbia lemon law says that if a consumer reports a serious
defect that prevents a vehicle from conforming to its warranty to the
manufacturer before the first two years of vehicle possession or first
18,000 miles, then the manufacturer must repair the nonconformity even
if the repairs take longer than the warranty period. A serious nonconformity
is one that negatively affects the vehicle's use, safety, reliability,
or value. The manufacturer is not liable for nonconformities which were
caused by the consumer's abuse, neglect, or modification of the vehicle.
If the manufacturer is unable to repair the nonconformity after a reasonable
number of attempts, then the vehicle must be repurchased or replaced.
What steps must occur before seeking settlement under Washington,
DC lemon law?
District of Columbia lemon law presumes that the manufacturer has had
a reasonable number of attempts to repair a nonconformity if during the
first two years of possession or 18,000 miles there were four unsuccessful
attempts to repair the same nonconformity, or one attempt to repair a
nonconformity that poses a threat to the consumer's safety, or the vehicle
was out of commission for repair of the nonconformity for a cumulative
total of 30 days.
Filing a claim under District of Columbia lemon law
Claims under Washington, DC lemon law must be filed within four years
of the vehicle's acceptance by the consumer.
What are the settlement details under Washington, DC lemon law?
If a vehicle is repurchased under District of Columbia lemon law, the
manufacturer must pay a sum which includes the full purchase price and
any government charges like tax, tags, and registration. An offset is
subtracted from this amount for usage of the vehicle. This offset may
not be more than $0.10 for each mile above 12,000 on the vehicle, plus
an allowance to any damage done to the vehicle.
If a vehicle is replaced under Washington, DC lemon law, the new vehicle
must be similar to the original, and no offset for vehicle usage may be
levied.
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