The Illinois Lemon law is a set of rules and regulations that protect buyers from sellers who try to sell defective cars. The lemon law covers used and new cars, trucks and motorcycles.
If you are buying a pre-owned car, it is important to read the selling document thoroughly before signing. After signing the sales agreement, you need to take action fast if you realize something isn’t right with your car. The lemon law in Illinois protects your rights if you purchased a defective car. This is only after you can’t reach an agreement with the dealer about repairs or a replacement. Read on to find out more.
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What is the Illinois Lemon Law?
The Lemon Law is a set of rules that protect buyers from sellers who try to sell them defective cars. The law covers new and used cars, trucks and motorcycles. It also applies to RVs, marine vessels and airplanes. The Illinois Lemon Law defines a defective car as one that is “materially defective or does not meet the manufacturer’s published specifications.” It covers cars that are out of service for a significant amount of time due to repair issues. It also covers those that have had at least three repair attempts to fix a major defect.
What are your rights?
The Lemon Law Illinois states that you are entitled to one of the following three options:
- The right to a replacement car: If the defects are minor and can be corrected, the manufacturer may repair the car. If the defects are major, then they may replace the car. This option applies only if the defect is serious and the repair is not feasible or practical. Since this form of relief is awarded rarely, you will have to prove that your car’s defect is serious and that the repair is not feasible or practical.
- The right to a refund: You can ask for a refund if the manufacturer fails to repair the car after a reasonable amount of time. This option is available only if the manufacturer refuses to repair your car. You can also ask for a refund if the manufacturer fails to replace the car after a reasonable amount of time.
- The right to hire a third party: This option allows you to hire a third party to repair your car. You can then recover the costs of this third-party repair from the manufacturer.
How to get relief under the Lemon Law?
If you think you are the victim of a lemon car and the manufacturer has refused to help you, you can file a complaint with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. This department also investigates complaints against auto dealers. You can also visit a nearby Attorney General’s office. At the AG office, you can file a complaint and provide details about the car’s defects in your complaint. You will also need to include copies of all relevant documents. These should include repair orders, manuals, purchase documents, and any correspondence with the manufacturer.
Limitations of the Illinois Lemon Law
The Lemon Law in Illinois covers new and pre-owned cars, trucks and motorcycles. However, it does not cover cars that are out of service due to repairs that are required after an accident. The law does not cover defects that are considered to be normal wear and tear. The law also does not protect you if you have simply changed your mind about the car. If you change your mind, you will have to negotiate a refund or a trade-in with the dealer. The law also does not protect you if you have had the car repaired by a third party instead of by the manufacturer.
Conclusion
The Lemon Law in Illinois protects your rights if you purchased a defective car and can’t reach an agreement with the dealer about repairs or a replacement. If you realize after signing that something isn’t right with your car or it has some issues, then you need to take action fast.
