Car in the Shop Again! What to Consider When Routine Vehicle Repair Isn’t Working

Do you find yourself constantly taking your car to the shop?

If you’re like a lot of car owners, you love your vehicle, especially if you’ve just purchased it. You probably want to keep driving it for as long as possible.

But vehicle repair costs can get pricey, and if your car needs routine services, you might be wondering what else you can do.

Fortunately, a lemon law can help you. But what are the common signs of vehicle malfunction? What is the lemon law, and what rights do you have under it?

Read on to find out!

Common Types of Malfunction Leading to Vehicle Repair

There are many different ways in which vehicles can malfunction, from the minor to the extremely dangerous.

If your car is whirring, clicking, sputtering, or driving unevenly, it could be a sign of undiagnosed issues. Should you notice your car’s brakes making noises, take it in, as it could be a symptom of faulty brakes.

Before you begin to drive your vehicle, check to make sure none of the dashboard lights remain on. Use your owner’s manual to determine what each of the lights mean.

Pay particular attention to your check engine and brake lights. While all lights on your dashboard deserve attention, these lights indicate possible issues with your engine or brakes. If they go on, take your car in for service as soon as possible.

Lemon Law

Did you just purchase a new vehicle that needs a lot of work?

If so, you might have some other options.

Many states have laws that protect owners from buying vehicles that are defective from the outset. These are called lemon laws, and the specifications and requirements for qualifying differ from state to state.

In Pennsylvania, vehicles count as “lemons” if they were purchased new. The problem needs to occur within 12,000 miles of driving or 12 months after the car was purchased.

The car needs to have gone to the shop for the same problem at least 3 times and stayed at the shop for a total of 30 days or more. The issue also needs to be unsolved after all of those attempts to fix it.

Benefits of Pursuing Lemon Law Claims

If you choose to file a claim under a lemon law, you could get a variety of benefits.

For example, in Pennsylvania, car owners can get their car purchased back or replaced. They also can receive compensation for their vehicle repair services and have their warranties extended.

Do you live outside of Pennsylvania? Your state’s lemon law should have its own list of requirements and benefits. Yet, all lemon laws are designed to protect vehicle owners from needing to dump money into new, defective cars.

Want More Advice?

Constantly needing vehicle repair services can be exhausting.

Automotive maintenance costs drain your bank account of much-needed money. Also, not having a car for an extensive amount of time can take a toll on your family and limit your mobility.

If you want to find out which products are faulty before you purchase them, check out our reviews!