California Lemon Law and Salvage Title Vehicles: All You Need to Know!

Cars represent significant investments for most consumers, and when a car has a defect that requires recurring repairs, owners can suffer financial losses and associated stress. While most people are familiar with the basics of lemon laws, consumers who have salvage title vehicles may wonder whether they can make lemon law claims. Read on to learn about the relationship between the California Lemon Law and salvage title vehicles.

What Is a Salvage Title Vehicle?

A salvage title vehicle is a car that is sold after being declared a total loss by an insurance company. For example, a new car may sustain significant hail or water damage and then be repaired enough to pass inspection and be sold at a dealership. Salvage title vehicles are not necessarily defective or unsafe, but the car’s title should reflect the vehicle’s salvage status.

What Is California’s Lemon Law?

California’s lemon law, formally the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, is a piece of legislation that protects California consumers from financial loss because of defective vehicles. Under this law, if a car has recurrent issues from manufacturer defects that are covered under the standard manufacturer’s warranty, the manufacturer is legally required to either refund the consumer or replace the vehicle.

This law is an important protection for consumers in California, where over 1.78 million new vehicles were sold in 2023 alone. Although most new cars are free from major defects, a small percentage each year come with significant problems that affect their safety, operability, or overall value.

Does the Lemon Law Apply to Salvage Title Vehicles?

In some cases, California’s lemon law does apply to salvage title vehicles. The sticking point in the issue is whether or not the salvage title vehicle is still covered under the manufacturer’s warranty, which is usually limited by a car’s mileage or age. If the reason for the salvage title has nothing to do with the car’s condition per the manufacturer’s warranty, the warranty may still be in effect.

Whether or not your salvage title vehicle is covered under California’s lemon law depends on your specific vehicle and its unique history. Because each salvage title vehicle is different, you may need to consult a California lemon lawyer to help you determine what your next steps should be.

Hire a Lemon Law Attorney for Legal Guidance

If you need help with pursuing a refund or replacement for a defective vehicle in California, a great first step is to hire a lemon law attorney. Your lawyer can help you from the very beginning of your case by listening to the details of your situation and helping you determine whether or not the lemon law is likely to apply to your situation. Your attorney can also support you by filing a civil claim with the Superior Court of California if necessary and representing you in court proceedings.

At Lemon Law Pro, lemon law cases are the only cases we handle. Our attorneys have over 60 years of combined experience helping California consumers, and our clients never pay for our services because the lemon law requires that manufacturers pay attorney fees. Contact us today if you need help with your case.