{"id":375150,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:02","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/new-mexico-law\/new-mexico-lemon-laws.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T19:48:43","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T00:48:43","slug":"new-mexico-lemon-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/new-mexico-law\/new-mexico-lemon-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"New Mexico Lemon Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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New Mexico Lemon Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last reviewed\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Sure, we all like that new car smell, but what we really need from our cars is safety and dependability. And the last thing we want want from our new cars is problems that make it seem more like an old car. So what happens when your new ride is spending more time in the shop than out on the open road? <\/p>\n

You may have what\u2019s known as a "lemon" on your hands. Lucky for you the Land of Enchantment has legal protections if your new car has a habitual problem no repair shop can fix. This is a basic overview of \u201clemon laws\u201d in New Mexico.<\/p>\n

State Lemon Laws<\/h2>\n

As a general protection to consumers, lemon laws<\/a> offer some financial and legal remedies for new car buyers, while also encouraging manufacturers and dealers to provide a reliable product. While some state lemon laws<\/a> may only cover new car purchases, New Mexico\u2019s law was recently updated to include used cars sold by a dealership. The New Mexico Attorney General\u2019s Office also has helpful resources for buying a car<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Lemon Laws in New Mexico<\/h2>\n

New Mexico\u2019s lemon law statutes are highlighted below.<\/p>\n\n

Code Section<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

New Mexico Statutes 57-16A-1, et seq.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Title of Act<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Motor Vehicle Quality Assurance Act<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Definition of Defects<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Nonconformity to all applicable express warranties which significantly affects the use or market value of vehicle<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Time Limit for Manufacturer Repair<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Term of express warranties or 1 year following date of original delivery, whichever is earlier<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Remedies<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Replace with comparable vehicle or accept return and refund full purchase price including all collateral charges, less a reasonable allowance for consumer’s use of vehicle<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n

While state statutes can be confusing, there are some general lemon law guidelines<\/a> to help you figure out if your new car is a lemon:<\/p>\n