Many people rely on car dealerships to sell them a quality vehicle that is free of defects. If a car does have a defect, customers then rely on a dealership to be up front and honest about the problems with a vehicle. However, this is not always the case. If you just bought a new car and it’s spending a significant amount of time in the shop, you may have a lemon on your hands.

What Is a Lemon?

A lemon is a car that has a serious or recurring problem that cannot be fixed in a reasonable amount of time. Carfax reassures drivers that both federal and state law aim to prevent car buyers from being sold a lemon in the first place, and can protect them if they were sold a lemon.  

What Is the Missouri Lemon Law?

Happily, Missouri is one state that does have a lemon law. Missouri’s lemon law applies to only new cars not used ones, explains Essurance. Officially, Missouri’s lemon law is in the section of law called New Motor Vehicle Warranties Law. Under the law, buyers of new cars are protected for up to one year after buying a vehicle, or one year after the express warranty has expired, whichever occurs first.

An express warranty is one offered by the dealer or manufacturer in the form of either a written or verbal statement. 

In Missouri, a lemon is an automobile that has been out of service for 30 or more working days due to defects or problems with the vehicle. This 30-day period does not include normal, routine maintenance performed on the vehicle, like oil changes, cleaning, or tune ups.

There are certain exceptions to the Missouri lemon law. The law’s protections only apply to new personal vehicles. If your vehicle is used, or if the vehicle in question is a commercial vehicle, a moped, a motorcycle, an off-road vehicle, or a recreational vehicle, they do not qualify you for benefits under the Missouri lemon law.

Missouri also defines “non-conformity,” or problems that make a vehicle a lemon, as those problems that significantly affect the functionality or safety of the vehicle. 

Under the lemon law, if a dealer sells you a lemon, they have several obligations. First, they must attempt to complete repairs to the vehicle in under 30 days. If they are unable to do so, you are eligible for a number of benefits. Before you make a claim under the Missouri lemon law, you must first comply with any complaint procedures that the manufacturer has in place.

If a dealer is unable to complete repairs within the 30-day time frame, a customer then can proceed to make a legal claim under the lemon law. Missouri’s lemon law requires car buyers to take action within one year of buying a vehicle.

If a customer’s claim succeeds, a dealer is obligated to provide a replacement vehicle that is comparable to the original vehicle. Customers can choose to accept this option, or they can choose to receive a full refund for the purchase price of the lemon.

Do I Have Rights if My Vehicle Is Not Covered under the Missouri Lemon Law?

Even if your vehicle does not fall under the qualifications for the Missouri lemon law, you may still have rights. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act serves as the federal lemon law. It offers protections similar to the Missouri lemon law, but may provide additional relief if your vehicle is not covered by the state law.

Like the Missouri Lemon Law, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act covers items that are included in a new vehicle’s warranty. However, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act offers more protections than the state law in that it may cover problems outside of an express warranty and within the manufacturer’s warranty. Additionally, the law allows claims up to four years after the vehicle was purchased.

Join a Free Lemon Law Defective Vehicle Investigation

You may qualify for this Lemon Law investigation under the following circumstances:

• You purchased your vehicle new;
• Your purchased your vehicle in 2018-2020;
• Your vehicle is still under warranty;
• You have taken your vehicle in for repair several times; and
• It is still having the same problem.

(Note: Residents of North Carolina do not qualify for this investigation.)

See if you qualify by filling out the form on this page for a case evaluation by experienced Lemon Law lawyers or call (877) 289-0615.

Get a Free Case Evaluation