The Lemon Law in Colorado has recently undergone significant updates to provide better protection for consumers who purchase new vehicles. This law, which went into effect on Wednesday, aims to address the issue of buying a defective car, commonly referred to as a „lemon.“ Attorney General Phil Weiser has emphasized the importance of understanding these new rights for consumers and the responsibilities of dealers in light of these changes.
One of the key improvements brought about by the updated law is the expansion of the vehicles covered under the Lemon Law. Previously, the law only applied to personal vehicles, but now it includes motor vehicles used by small businesses for both business and personal purposes. This expansion ensures that a wider range of consumers are protected under the law, offering greater peace of mind when making a new vehicle purchase.
Additionally, the duration of Lemon Law protections has been extended to two years after purchase or within the first 24,000 miles of the vehicle’s operation, whichever comes first. This extension provides consumers with a longer period to identify and address any defects in their vehicles, ensuring that they are not left dealing with costly repairs soon after purchase.
Furthermore, the requirements for a vehicle to be considered a lemon have been revised to provide better safeguards for consumers. The number of failed repair attempts needed to qualify as a lemon has been reduced from four to three, or after the vehicle has been out of service for repair for 24 or more business days. In cases where a defect significantly impacts the safety of the vehicle, it will be presumed a lemon after just two failed repair attempts of the defect.
Another significant change is the extension of the time frame for consumers to file a Lemon Law claim. Previously, consumers had a limited window to seek recourse for a defective vehicle, but now they have up to 30 months following the date of delivery to file a claim. This extended time frame allows consumers more flexibility in addressing any issues that may arise with their vehicles.
Moreover, the updated law clarifies the refund process for consumers, providing a formula for manufacturers to calculate an allowance for any use of the vehicle by the consumer. This ensures a fair and predictable refund process for consumers who may be seeking compensation for a defective vehicle.
Lastly, consumers purchasing used „lemon buyback“ vehicles will now have more information available to them. Dealers are required to affix a decal to these vehicles indicating „Lemon Law Buyback,“ as well as include a notation in the vehicle’s title. This additional transparency helps consumers make informed decisions when considering the purchase of a used vehicle with a history of defects.
Overall, the updates to Colorado’s Lemon Law represent a significant step forward in protecting consumers from purchasing defective vehicles. These changes provide greater clarity, extended protections, and improved safeguards for consumers, ensuring a more fair and transparent process for addressing issues with new vehicle purchases. By understanding these new rights and responsibilities, consumers can now approach the car-buying process with more confidence and peace of mind.