Q: What legal recourse do I have under the lemon laws for MD?
I purchased a 2013 650I BMW from an Annapolis MD dealership in or around 7/2022 which unbeknownst to me was a lemon. To my surprise, I learned during a service call for an oil change in 6/2024 that the vehicle which has been driven minimally as a result of me working from home during the pandemic requires extensive mechanical repair in the amount of $22,000. I purchased a mechanical warranty to cover repairs including but not limited to engine, and transmission, however, upon my filing a claim to repair an engine-related issue, I was advised that the repair is not covered. The issue which apparently existed at the time I purchased the vehicle was not disclosed by the dealership and did not occur in the short amount of time that I've owned the vehicle which was barely driven by me.
A:
While it is frustrating to have significant repairs on a vehicle you recently purchased, a used vehicle that is 9 or 10 years old does not have the same warranties as a new car.
Maryland's "lemon law" applies to a NEW passenger car, light truck or motorcycle that has repeated or serious mechanical problems. The defects must be reported before the car is 18 months old or has been driven 24,000 miles (so for a 2013 model year, this would have needed to be reported sometime in 2014 or thereabouts).
You can read the law here: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcl§ion=14-1502
If you feel the dealer knew/should've known about the problems and didn't disclose them you might attempt mediation. You can read information about such options in a brochure put out by Maryland's Attorney General: https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/CPD%20Documents/Tips-Publications/usedCar.pdf
While not legal advice I hope this helps provide some helpful feedback in response to your question.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
