Occasionally, motor vehicle buyers will find they have purchased a 'lemon' - a car that isn’t fit for purpose. How do you know if you've bought a lemon, and what can you do about it?
It worth knowing when you buy a vehicle from a private seller, you are entitled to any repairs after purchase. It is buyer beware!
When life gives you a lemon, seek lemon-aid.
Australia, unlike the USA, doesn’t have a specific “lemon law” but a raft of legislation does protect buyers of both new and used vehicles.
There is no legal definition of a “lemon” in Australia, but the 'pub-test' defines a lemon as a product with a persistent defect that prevents it from living up to expectations.
In other words - the item doesn’t do the job it’s meant to do. This applies to both new and used vehicles. It’s not that the type of product is inherently bad, you’ve just (unluckily) received a poor example of it.
“If you do purchase a vehicle that doesn’t work, you are entitled to a refund, replacement, or repair under the Australian Consumer Law - regardless of whether the vehicle is new or used,” said a CAV spokesperson.
“We take breaches of motor car trading laws very seriously and will take action where wrongdoing is identified.”
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