Calculate your potential refund under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. See buyback amount, mileage offset, and possible civil penalties.
Enter the amounts from your purchase contract
Used to calculate the mileage offset deduction
If you financed the vehicle
Additional expenses caused by the defect
Did the manufacturer willfully violate the law?
Before civil penalty (if applicable)
Offset = Purchase Price × (Miles at First Repair ÷ Expected Lifetime Miles)
Example: $45,000 × (3,000 ÷ 120,000) = $1,125 offset
This calculator provides estimates only. Actual buyback amounts depend on the specific facts of your case, the manufacturer's calculation method, and negotiation. Attorney fees are typically paid by the manufacturer in successful lemon law cases and are not included in this calculation. Consult a lemon law attorney for your specific situation.
Ready to pursue your lemon law claim?
California's "Lemon Law" (Civil Code 1790-1795.8) requires manufacturers to repurchase or replace vehicles that cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts. It's one of the strongest lemon laws in the nation.
New vehicles sold or leased in California with manufacturer's warranty. Also covers used vehicles with remaining factory warranty or dealer warranty.
Defect must occur within 18 months or 18,000 miles of purchase (whichever comes first) for the presumption to apply. Claims can still be made during the full warranty period.
Generally: 2+ attempts for serious safety defects, 4+ attempts for other defects, OR 30+ cumulative days out of service for repairs.
Issues caused by abuse, neglect, unauthorized modifications, or accidents. Defects must substantially impair use, value, or safety.
The manufacturer is entitled to deduct a "mileage offset" for the use you got out of the vehicle before the defect first appeared. The formula is:
If the manufacturer "willfully" failed to comply with the law, you may recover up to two times your actual damages as a civil penalty. This applies when:
Under California law, if you prevail in a lemon law case, the manufacturer must pay your reasonable attorney fees and costs. This means:
You have the right to choose:
You have 4 years from the date you discovered (or should have discovered) the defect to file a lemon law claim. Don't wait - evidence becomes harder to gather over time.
Generate a professional demand letter for your lemon law or consumer claim:
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