If you’ve ever picked up your new car, truck, or motorhome from the dealership’s service center without checking the repair order, you could be creating a major problem for your Lemon Law case. Why are repair orders important? The repair orders form the basis of your proof that you submitted your vehicle for the required number of repair attempts. If you are not ensuring that you are receiving a correctly completed repair order at the conclusion of every repair visit, then you are hurting your chances of winning your Lemon Law case.
Your repair orders are important for your Lemon Law case because they show that you followed the law by giving the manufacturer a certain number of chances to fix your vehicle. They also prove that you complained about the problems and that the manufacturer couldn’t fix them in the time allowed by the Georgia Lemon Law.
Who is required to give a repair order?
The Georgia Lemon Law states that either the manufacturer, its authorized agent, or the dealer must give you a clear and detailed statement or repair order every time your new car, truck, or motorhome is returned to you after being checked or fixed. That means when you take your vehicle to the dealership with a complaint or ask them to look at a small issue, they must give you a repair order even if:
- the dealership only performs a diagnostic test;
- the dealership only test drives the car;
- the dealership only performs a software update;
- the dealership only makes a small adjustment to the vehicle or its components; or
- the dealership cannot duplicate your issue or complaint.
Unaffiliated, independent service centers, shade tree mechanics, or unauthorized repair facilities are not required by the Georgia Lemon Law to give you a repair order.
What information must be included in the repair order?
The repair order must include a general description of your complaint and:
- the results of any diagnostic test, inspection, or test drive;
- a description of any diagnosis or problem identified by the manufacturer, its authorized agent, or the new motor vehicle dealer; and
- an itemization of all work performed on the vehicle, including, but not limited to, parts and labor.
It must also include the date and the odometer reading when you submitted the vehicle for repair and the date and odometer reading when the vehicle was made available to you.
When am I entitled to a repair order?
You are entitled to a repair order each time your new vehicle is returned to you from being diagnosed or repaired.
How can I get a repair order?
If you should have received a repair order, but the dealership did not give you one, then you can write a letter to the dealership requesting that it provide you with a copy. You may want to send it via certified mail so that you can track it and confirm delivery.
Contact Merbaum Law Group if you believe your vehicle is a lemon. Click this link or call 678-393-8232 to schedule a consultation or get in touch with us.
