Have you ever put off an oil change, skipped a brake inspection or ignored the flashing “check engine light”? You’re not alone. A 2015 report from the American Automobile Association showed that 35% of Americans put off routine maintenance repairs for their cars. Yet, we know that routine maintenance is necessary to keeping your car in working order.
Routine maintenance is also essential for distinguishing simple maintenance problems from outright defects, for which you can get remedies under the California Lemon Law.
It may be the case that drivers with cars past their warranty periods may avoid getting maintenance repairs unless those repairs appear absolutely necessary.
However, even those who still have active warranties may put off getting repairs. Here are the common reasons that either type of driver may put off getting a routine repair on their car.
1. Delays in Parts Shipments
Delays in shipping may cause interruptions or postponements of basic car repairs.
A dealership may not have the parts on hand necessary to make the desired repair, so it may have to order parts. However, a delay in shipment of vehicle parts could increase the amount of time your car is in the shop. Alternatively, someone whose repair was interrupted by a delay in shipment could decide to schedule a visit at a later date and feel inconvenienced by the process.
2. Repairs Lasting Several Days
Someone may put off a car repair because of the prospect of a repair taking several days.
The number of days the car is at the dealership for repair equals the number of days the driver can’t use that car for running errands, commuting, work, travel or any number of things for which the driver used the car. For that time being, the driver may have to rely on a friend, family member or rideshare service for transportation.
3. Appointments-Only Dealerships
If someone lives in a rural area, they may live a good distance away from their nearest dealership. On top of that, the dealerships nearest to them may discourage impromptu visits in favor of appointments. This system can be particularly inconvenient to those with unpredictable schedules.
4. Use of Vehicles for Work
People who use their vehicles for work, such as food delivery and rideshare services, may put off repairs that they think are not immediately essential. This can be further complicated by the fact that those who use their vehicles for work may have unpredictable, inconsistent work schedules. If someone who uses their car for work has it at the dealership for several days, that person could lose income for the days that they are not working.
Lemon Law Help by Knight Law Group is an automotive lemon law firm that exclusively practices in California. If you are a California resident who purchased or leased a defective vehicle from a licensed dealership in California, we may be able to help you get rid of your potential lemon and recover significant cash compensation. Model year restrictions apply: 2017–Present vehicle models only.
However, we cannot help those who reside outside of California or purchased their vehicle outside of California unless they are active duty members of the Armed Forces, nor will we be able to refer those to a lemon law firm in their states.
To learn more about the California Lemon Law and your legal rights, visit our guide on the California Lemon Law for more information.
