Leased Vehicles

There are provisions of the California lemon law that, if viewed by themselves, might make you think that leased vehicles are not eligible for repurchase under the lemon law. Specifically, California Civil Code Section 1793.2(d) requires manufacturers to repurchase or replace lemon cars and trucks, but that section only applies to “buyers” of “new motor vehicles.” Since “Buyer” is defined in California Civil Code Section 1791(b) to mean a person who “buys” consumer goods “at retail,” and since “New Motor Vehicle” is defined in California Civil Code Section 1793.22(e)(2) to mean a vehicle “bought” primarily for personal (or small business) purposes, one might think that the California lemon law does not apply to leased vehicles. However, that is not the case.

Leased car and trucks are specifically covered by the California lemon law pursuant to California Civil Code Section 1795.4(b). That section makes clear that the California lemon law applies to leased vehicles to the same extent that it applies to purchased vehicles. Accordingly, there is no reason to be sour on the California lemon law just because you decided to lease your car or truck.

If you leased a vehicle that turned out to be a lemon, call the Vachon Law Firm at 855-4-LEMON-LAW (855-453-6665). Consultations are free. And you can find out how much money you may be entitled to under the California lemon law.

Business Lessors May Also Qualify

If a vehicle was leased by a business, then in order for the California lemon law to apply it must also comply with the California lemon law’s vehicle weight and business size restrictions. These are described in this Web site’s page discussing Whether the California Lemon Law Applies to Business Vehicles.

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