Lemon-law claims generally come down to the same things: repair attempts, days out of service, and whether you're still inside the eligibility window. Organize those facts and get a free letter outline; the full demand letter is in the $39 Case Pack.
| Eligibility window | First 18,000 miles of operation or 2 years following delivery to the original purchaser, whichever comes first |
|---|---|
| Repair-attempt presumption | 4 repair attempts |
| Days-out-of-service presumption | 30 days |
| Citation | D.C. Code Section 50-501 through Section 50-510 (Automobile Consumer Protection Act of 1984) |
Source: D.C. Code Section 50-501 through Section 50-510 (Automobile Consumer Protection Act of 1984)
The District of Columbia's Automobile Consumer Protection Act of 1984 covers a motor vehicle sold or registered in D.C. and designed primarily for transporting the driver and one or more passengers on streets, roads, or highways, within the first 18,000 miles of operation or two years following delivery to the original purchaser, whichever comes first. The law is administered in part through a Board of Consumer Claims Arbitration established by statute. A reasonable number of repair attempts is presumed at four attempts for the same defect or 30 cumulative days out of service within that window. The law excludes buses sold for public transportation, motorcycles, motor homes, and other motorized recreational vehicles. When a manufacturer replaces a vehicle under this law, the replacement must be new and comparable, and the reasonable-allowance-for-use deduction that applies to refunds does not apply to a replacement vehicle.
Wherewithal is an organizational tool only. Not legal advice. Consider consulting a licensed attorney.