- If your vehicle is having problems, take it to an authorized dealer for service. Each time you bring the vehicle in, get a ‘repair order’ which is mostly an estimate, describing your problems. It also is a record that they have your car. It is important to have documentation of your vehicle’s problems and to have a record of each repair attempt made.
- When making warranty repairs, be sure to bring your vehicle to a repair facility that is authorized by the manufacturer of your vehicle. You want to do this because you must give the manufacturer or its agents a “reasonable” opportunity to make needed repairs.
- Describe every problem you are having entirely and in detail to representatives at the repair facility. Do not attempt to ‘diagnose’ the problems yourself.
- Whenever you have service performed, be sure to get an ‘invoice.’ Make sure the invoice document contains at least the following information:
• Accurately states your description of the problem that caused you to bring in the vehicle;
• The odometer reading at the time of repair;
• A description of precisely what was repaired; and
• The date you initially brought in the vehicle. - Follow the manufacturer’s recommended service and maintenance schedule. (Read the warranty and owner’s manual.)
- Keep a service record and retain all receipts for maintenance performed on your vehicle, no matter the location.
- Make sure that every repair attempt is documented with a repair order, even if no repairs are made. Whenever you take your car in for a repair, leave with some sort of documentation that you did so, even if it is just a handwritten note on a business card.
- Make a record of all contacts with the dealer and/or the manufacturer’s representatives, noting the date, person contacted and content of conversation.
- It is helpful to keep a chronological story of all repair attempts, telephone calls, letters or discussions you have had regarding your vehicle’s problems.
- Even if you feel really angry at your vehicle, treat it nicely. Warranty protection does not apply to defects caused by misuse or abuse. Remember, until a lawsuit is resolved, the vehicle is still yours.
- Do not stop making payments on your vehicle without consulting with an attorney.
- If you have any concerns or feel that repair attempts have not been successful, contactCalifornia Lemon Lawyers.
