Whether or not you purchase a new or used vehicle, there could still be a possibility that your vehicle could be a lemon. An automobile is considered a lemon in Alabama if it has been taken in for repairs numerous times for the same problem, but the problem still exists. The problem must affect the safety, use, and market value of the vehicle.
According to a News 42 report, there are several tips you can follow to ensure you don’t pay more for a vehicle in Alabama than it is actually worth:
- First, check with your bank regarding any potential loans you may be seeking. Shop around for the best prices. This can help you when you are in negotiations for a price on the vehicle.
- Second, request a vehicle history report to see if the vehicle you want to purchase has been involved in any serious accidents or had any major repairs done. However, if you are purchasing a used vehicle and the previous owner(s) did not file a police report after an accident, that information may not be available in the vehicle history.
- The best action you can take in ensuring that you do not purchase a lemon vehicle in Alabama is to take the car to a mechanic to have inspected. It may cost about $40 to $50, but it may be worth it in the long run.
You may want to educate yourself on brands and washed titles as well before you purchase a vehicle. A brand is a designation that the state department of motor vehicles will place on a car that may reveal whether it has been sold for scrap, suffered significant damage in an accident, or is a “total loss”. A washed title is a title that conceals negative brands and other information that may be pertinent to a vehicle’s history.
If your vehicle has required repair for a persistent problem, you may have a lemon. Unfortunately, this predicament occurs throughout the United States. Howard D. Silver is a California lemon law attorney who can help answer any questions you may have regarding the California lemon law and can help you understand your rights. Contact Mr. Silver today at 1-800-49-LEMON for a free consultation.
