Lemon Law Basics: Missouri Lemon Laws
Summary of Missouri lemon law
What vehicles are covered under Missouri lemon law?
Missouri lemon law covers new vehicles which are purchased or have a lease-to-purchase
contract, and which come with a manufacturer's warranty. Used or leased
vehicles are not included, nor are motorcycles, commercial vehicles, off-road
vehicles, or the living areas of motor homes.
What defects are covered by Missouri lemon law?
Missouri lemon law states that if a vehicle has a serious nonconformity
that affects its use, value, or safety, the manufacturer must repair it
so long as it is first reported within the warranty period or the first
year of ownership. An exception is made if the nonconformity was caused
by abuse or modification by the owner. If the manufacturer is unable to
repair the nonconformity after a reasonable number of attempts, the lemon
vehicle must be repurchased or replaced.
Missouri lemon law defines a reasonable number of attempts as four unsuccessful
attempts to repair the same problem or a cumulative total of 30 working
days during which the vehicle was out of commission for repairs.
What is the Missouri lemon law process?
Before you can file a claim under the Missouri lemon law, the manufacturer
must be notified in writing of the nonconformity, and must be given a
final chance to repair it. If this final attempt is unsuccessful, the
consumer must attempt to receive compensation under the manufacturer's
informal settlement board before taking the Missouri lemon law claim to
the judicial system. The process must be started within 18 months of receipt
of the vehicle, or within 6 months of the expiration of the warranty.
If the consumer is not satisfied by the decision of the settlement board,
a claim must be filed with the judicial system within 90 days of the board's
final action.
What settlements are possible under Missouri lemon law?
If a vehicle is repurchased under Missouri lemon law, the manufacturer
must pay a sum that includes the full purchase price of the vehicle, and
all charges that were not a part of the original purchase price like tax,
tags, registration, and inspection. An offset for usage of the vehicle
may be subtracted from this sum.
If a vehicle is replaced under Missouri lemon law, the new vehicle must
be comparable to the old. The consumer must pay a reasonable offset for
usage of the original vehicle.
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