You can lower the risk of ending up with a lemon by taking smart steps before you buy a vehicle and by paying attention to warning signs that appear soon after purchase. California law provides strong protections, but what you do early can make defects easier to document and resolve.  Purchasing a vehicle is a…

If your 2026 vehicle is already having problems, you do not have to wait months or years to take action. California’s Lemon Law can apply early, even when issues appear shortly after purchase. A new car is expected to be reliable, not stuck in the service bay with warning lights, safety failures, or systems that…

When you win a California Lemon Law case, the manufacturer must either repurchase your vehicle or provide a replacement, along with paying certain costs. What happens next depends on how the case is resolved and the remedy you chose, but there are clear steps that follow. Knowing what to expect after a win helps you…

Strong documentation often decides whether a California Lemon Law claim succeeds or stalls. Clear, organized records show how often your vehicle failed, how long it stayed in the shop, and whether the manufacturer had a fair chance to fix the problem. When issues repeat, evidence turns frustration into proof. Without it, even valid claims can…

You can lose significant value in a Lemon Law buyback if you accept the wrong terms at mediation, often without realizing what you are giving up as negotiations move quickly. Mediation is now a required step in many Lemon Law claims and is often framed as a faster, lower-stress resolution process, but manufacturers may use…