House passes ‘lemon’ bill

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a proposed lemon law aimed at protecting the rights of buyers of brand new vehicles that turn out to be defective.

House Bill No. 4841 titled An Act Strengthening Consumer Protection in the Purchase of Brand New Motor Vehicles—or the Lemon Law of 2011—would give a new car buyer the right to demand a replacement “with a similar or comparable motor vehicle” if the first vehicle is discovered to have a factory defect.

The buyer may also opt to return a defective vehicle and get a refund of its purchase price and collateral charges such as the vehicle registration fee.