What is the South Carolina Lemon Law?

The South Carolina Lemon Law is a consumer law that provides legal remedies to buyers of new vehicles that turn out defective. To qualify for this protection, the issue must substantially impair the vehicle’s use, value, or safety, and the issue must persist after a reasonable number of repair attempts without being fixed. The defect must also arise within the first 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

 

It’s essential to note that the law applies to certain motor vehicles purchased or leased in South Carolina. It does not cover used cars, motorcycles, off-road vehicles, motor homes, or recreational vehicles. If the manufacturer or new motor vehicle dealer cannot resolve the defect after multiple repair attempts, the South Carolina consumer may be entitled to a replacement vehicle or a refund.

what is the south carolina lemon law
is your car is a lemon 2

Is Your Car a Lemon?

graphic

Not every car lives up to expectations. Suppose your private passenger motor vehicle has recurring mechanical failures that compromise its safety, usability, or resale value, and the authorized dealer or manufacturer hasn’t fixed the problem despite multiple repair attempts. In that case, it might legally be considered a Lemon.

Thankfully, Lemon Laws exist in most states to protect car buyers from being stuck with a defective vehicle. If your car meets the criteria, you could be entitled to a refund, replacement, or compensation. Here’s what to watch for if you think your car might be a Lemon:

How to Pursue a Lemon Law Claim

To pursue a Lemon Law claim, first determine whether your vehicle meets all the requirements. As stated above, the defect must occur within the first twelve thousand miles or 12 months, whichever comes first, and must significantly impair the motor vehicle’s use, safety, and value. Also, the manufacturer or franchised new vehicle dealer must have been given a reasonable number of attempts to fix the vehicle. Alternatively, the vehicle may have been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days due to related repairs.

 

Once you’ve determined your vehicle meets the qualification, start gathering documentation. Keep detailed records of all repair invoices from the authorized service agent or reasonably accessible repair facility, written communication with the manufacturer, and proof of the defect and how it affects the car. Next, notify the manufacturer in writing about the ongoing issue and give them one final opportunity to repair it. The notice should contain your vehicle identification number, the history of the repair, and other relevant details.

 

If the problem is still not resolved, you may need to participate in the manufacturer’s informal dispute settlement procedure. If you’re still not satisfied after this, you can then file a formal Lemon Law claim. You can do this through the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs or consult a Lemon Law attorney in South Carolina who specializes in helping you pursue a refund or replacement vehicle.

lemon law claim (2)

Our Easy 3-Step Process

1. Free Consultation

Speak with our experienced attorneys to evaluate your case and determine eligibility. We’ll let you know if your car qualifies for a refund, replacement, or settlement.

2. We Handle the Paperwork

From filing your claim to negotiating with manufacturers, we handle all the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to.

3. Get Paid

Once your case is resolved, you’ll receive the compensation or replacement vehicle you’re entitled to under Lemon law.
GeoCity Lemon Law Lawyers

Why Choose Easy Lemon?

South Carolina drivers deserve reliable vehicles, not endless trips to the repair shop. At Easy Lemon, our experienced Lemon Law attorneys take on car manufacturers who refuse to do the right thing. If your vehicle has ongoing problems, you may be entitled to a refund or replacement. Reach out today for a free case review. Learn more about South Carolina’s Lemon Law.

Why Choose Us for Lemon Law?

At Easy Lemon, your success is our mission. Let us simplify the process and get you the justice you deserve.

What The Manufacturer May Owe You

refund

Full Refund

  • Get reimbursed for your entire vehicle purchase, including all costs and taxes.

cash refund

Cash Settlement

Receive a monetary payout for the unresolved issues with your car.

vehicle replacement

Vehicle Replacement

Replace your defective vehicle with a new one at no additional expense.

South Carolina drivers deserve reliable vehicles, not endless trips to the repair shop. At Easy Lemon, our experienced Lemon Law attorneys take on car manufacturers who refuse to do the right thing. If your vehicle has ongoing problems, you may be entitled to a refund or a comparable motor vehicle replacement. Contact us today for a free attorney consultation.

 

Why Choose Us for Lemon Law?

  • Proven Success – We’ve recovered millions in settlements for our clients by securing refunds, cash settlements, and replacements.

  • Client-Centered Approach – Our personalized service has earned us FIVE stars from satisfied clients.

  • Risk-Free Representation – With our no-win, no-fee guarantee, you only pay if we win your case—no upfront costs, no stress.

  • Focused Results – We know the stress defective vehicles bring, so we simplify the process for you.

why choose us

Frequently Asked Questions

Your vehicle qualifies if it has a serious defect that remains after three repair attempts or 30 days out of service within one year or 12,000 miles. To prove that you were sold a Lemon, you need to keep detailed documentation from your visits to the authorized repair facility and your communication with the manufacturer.

South Carolina’s Lemon Law does not cover used vehicles, but you may still be able to sue under other consumer protection laws, such as fraud, breach of written warranty, or unfair trade practices, if the dealer knowingly sold you a defective vehicle. You may also have rights under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, as long as your vehicle is still covered by the manufacturer’s express warranty.

If your vehicle qualifies under the South Carolina Lemon Law, you may be entitled to a full refund (minus a mileage deduction) or a replacement vehicle. You may also get reimbursement for taxes, registration fees, and certain out-of-pocket expenses related to the defect.

To negotiate a Lemon Law claim, present clear documentation of the defect, repair attempts, and how the issue affects the vehicle’s use, value, or safety. Remain professional, communicate in writing, and be prepared to go through arbitration or hire a South Carolina Lemon Law lawyer if needed.

If you bought a defective used car, check if there was any active applicable express warranty or if the dealer made false claims. You may be able to file a complaint with the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs or pursue legal action for misrepresentation or fraud.

If you win a Lemon Law lawsuit, you could recover the purchase price, sales tax, registration fees, repair costs, towing and rental expenses, and possibly attorney’s fees. The amount may vary depending on your case and whether the manufacturer knowingly sold you the defective vehicle.

You must first notify the manufacturer of the defect and give them a reasonable opportunity to repair the issue. If the problem remains unresolved, you can request arbitration through the manufacturer or pursue legal action. South Carolina Lemon Law attorneys can manage the entire process on your behalf, making it simpler and less stressful.

If your vehicle qualifies as a lemon, the manufacturer is required to either buy back the vehicle or provide a replacement. In many cases, they may also be obligated to cover your attorney’s fees and related costs. You should also note all expenses related to a vehicle replacement incurred during the Lemon Law process.

Success in a Lemon Law case depends on strong documentation of repair attempts, proof that the defect affects the use, value, or safety of the vehicle, and compliance with all legal requirements. Easy Lemon’s attorneys can help ensure everything is done correctly to maximize your chances of winning.

While you’re not legally required to have an attorney, having a professional Lemon Law representation greatly increases your chances of a successful outcome. An experienced Lemon Law attorney in South Carolina can handle the paperwork, negotiate with the manufacturer, and represent you in arbitration or court—often at no cost to you, as legal fees may be covered by the manufacturer if you win.

The number of repair attempts on a motor vehicle determines whether it’s a lemon or not. However, the motor vehicle’s warranty must be active, and the issues under consideration must occur within the first twelve thousand miles or twelve months of the vehicle’s original purchase.

Yes, the South Carolina legal system has a State Arbitration Board consisting of only five members. The board exists to review matters involving manufacturers who have yet to set up a functional informal dispute resolution system for lemon issues.

When a manufacturer repurchases a lemon, they may fix it and resell it to a subsequent retail purchaser at a lower price than comparable vehicles. However, the new prospective buyers must be informed that it’s a repurchased vehicle. The manufacturer will also issue a new written warranty for the vehicle, covering it for 12,000 miles or 12 months.

What Our South Carolina Clients are Saying

Read More Relevant Blogs