Buying a new car should feel exciting, not a headache waiting to happen. But if your vehicle keeps breaking down, it can quickly turn into a nightmare. In these cases, California’s Lemon Law can help. 

Unfortunately, not every claim is accepted without a fight. Manufacturers push back. Here is what you need to know about the common tactics they use, so you are not caught off guard.

Why Manufacturers Push Back

At the end of the day, manufacturers are businesses. A Lemon Law claim means they have to buy back or replace your car. And that is a cost they might not want to endure. But that doesn’t mean your claim isn’t valid. It just means you need to be prepared for what to expect.

There are a few tactics that they may use. These include:

You Didn’t Take It in Enough Times

One of the most frequent excuses is that you didn’t bring your car in enough for repairs. Under California law, you need to have the vehicle in the shop 4 times (two times for safety-related issues) or over 30+ cumulative days out of service, depending on the issue.

No matter the case, you want to keep detailed records of every repair visit. Make sure to note what the issue was and what was done. Even visits that feel minor matter. This documentation can show a pattern that your vehicle is more than just a one-time problem.

It’s Your Fault

Some manufacturers might claim the problem is due to owner error, such as skipped maintenance or improper use. While negligence is not covered under the law, this excuse can be overstretched to deny a valid claim.

If you want to protect yourself, follow the maintenance schedule and keep all receipts. If your car breaks down despite proper care, your records make it clear that the defect is with the manufacturer.

It’s Not That Serious

Manufacturers could argue that the defect is not substantial. This might be something that only happens occasionally, or it does not seem dangerous. But even problems that sound minor can qualify if they affect your car’s safety, value, or everyday use.

Repair invoices, technician notes, and a log of recurring issues can help show that the defect is more than just a minor annoyance. This is a real problem that impacts your vehicle.

It’s Not Covered

Another common tactic is to claim the defect is not covered by warranty or that the warranty has expired. Manufacturers may point to fine print or disclaimers. However, California law protects you in these situations. You want to review your warranty carefully and keep copies of all repairs done under it.

It Wasn’t Out of Service Long Enough

Some manufacturers try to downplay the amount of time your car has spent in the shop. California law considers vehicles that are out of service for a large portion of the warranty period as lemons. However, a manufacturer might argue that short trips for repairs do not count.

Tracking every repair visit and noting the days your car was unavailable helps counter this argument. 

How to Stay Ahead of These Tactics

If you want to bring a Lemon Law claim against a manufacturer, you need to be prepared. Here are a couple of ways that you can help protect your claim:

• Keep detailed records of every repair visit.
• Follow the recommended maintenance schedule.
• Save emails, letters, and notes from calls with the dealer or manufacturer.
• Track how long the vehicle is out of service.

If you still have questions, reach out to an experienced Lemon Law attorney in California.

Protect Your Lemon Law Claim

Can a manufacturer deny your lemon law claim? Yes, manufacturers can and will try to deny them. But many of their tactics are based on technicalities or exaggerations. When you stay organized and document everything, you can protect yourself and strengthen your claim.

At the end of the day, the law exists to make sure you are not stuck with a defective vehicle. At BLVD Law, we are here to make sure you stay safe on the road and get accountability from the manufacturer. Schedule a consultation today.