Part of what we look forward to when buying a car is that new car smell. What we don’t anticipate is having old car problems go along with that. So what if your new car is spending more time in the shop than out on the open road?
It sounds like you might have a "lemon" on your hands. Fortunately, the Magnolia State has legal protections for new car buyers if the car has a habitual problem no dealer or a repair shop can seem to fix. Here is a brief overview of “lemon laws†in Mississippi.
State Lemon Laws
State lemon laws are intended to offer some financial protections for car buyers, rather than leaving the new owner stuck with a vehicle that’s malfunctioning or not even functioning at all. Some lemon laws in other states don’t cover used car purchases, but under Mississippi law it may depend on your warranty. The state lemon law covers automobile purchases for one year after the purchase date.
Lemon Laws in Mississippi
Mississippi’s lemon law statutes are listed in the table below.
| Code Section | Mississippi Code 63-17-151, et seq. |
| Title of Act | Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act |
| Definition of Defects | Nonconformity to all applicable express warranties which significantly affects the use, market value, or safety of vehicle |
| Time Limit for Manufacturer Repair | Term of express warranties or during period of 1 year following date of original delivery of motor vehicle to consumer, whichever period expires earlier |
| Remedies | Consumer's option: replace with comparable vehicle acceptable to consumer or accept return and refund full purchase price, including all reasonably incurred collateral charges, less a reasonable allowance for consumer's use |
There are a few general lemon law guidelines that might help if you’re trying to figure out if your new car qualifies as a lemon:
Related Resources for Lemon Laws
No one wants car trouble, especially new car trouble. And deciphering state law regarding car warranties can be difficult. You can consult with a Mississippi lemon law attorney if you would like legal assistance regarding a possible lemon law matter. You can also find more resources and information on this topic by visiting FindLaw's section on Lemon Laws.
