Warning
Info
Warning
Info
Simple English definitions for legal terms
lemon
Read a random definition: veteran
A quick definition of lemon:
A lemon is a car that keeps having problems even after the owner has tried to fix it many times. Lemon laws are rules that help people who buy a lemon car. These laws say that the car company has to give the owner a new car or a refund if the car is a lemon. In California, for example, a car is a lemon if it has a big problem that can't be fixed after two tries, or if it has four smaller problems that can't be fixed, or if it has been in the shop for more than 30 days.
A more thorough explanation:
A lemon is a term used to describe a new automobile that is substandard or defective even after several attempts to fix it. Lemon laws are statutes that protect buyers of new vehicles by requiring the manufacturer or dealer to provide restitution in the form of a replacement vehicle or a full refund if the vehicle is a lemon.
In California, if a new vehicle has a nonconformity with its express warranties, it may be considered a lemon if the buyer has attempted and failed to fix it within 18 months of delivery or after 18,000 miles. For example, if a new car has been in the repair shop for over 30 days due to nonconformities or has had four or more attempts to fix a non-lethal nonconformity, it may be considered a lemon.
This definition and example illustrate how lemon laws protect consumers from purchasing defective vehicles.