Maine Lemon Law Summary
STANDARDS OF THE MAINE LEMON LAW
The following is a brief explanation of most relevant provisions of the Maine lemon law.
The complete text of the lemon law can be found at10 Maine Rev. Stat. Ann. Section 1161
et seq.
VEHICLES COVERED
The Maine lemon law covers any motor driven vehicle sold or leased in the state that is
designed for the conveyance of passengers or property on the public highways.
The lemon law covers used vehicles, but does not cover motor vehicles used primarily
for commercial purposes with a gross vehicle weight of 8,500 pounds or more.
CONSUMERS COVERED
The lemon law covers the following consumers:
1. The purchaser, for purposes other than resale, or the lessee of a motor vehicle;
2. Any person to whom the motor vehicle is transferred during the duration of an
express warranty applicable to the motor vehicle; and
3. Any other person entitled by the terms of the warranty to enforce the obligations of
the warranty.
The lemon law does not cover any government entity, or any business or commercial
enterprise that registers three or more motor vehicles.
VEHICLE CONVERTERS
The lemon law applies to vehicle converters.
PROBLEMS COVERED
The lemon law covers any defect or condition, or combination of defects or conditions,
that substantially impairs the use, safety or value of the motor vehicle. This is referred to
as a nonconformity.
The lemon law provides manufacturers with an affirmative defense if it can be shown
that the nonconformity is the result of abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modifications or
alterations of a motor vehicle by anyone other than the manufacturer, its agents or
authorized dealer after delivery to the consumer.
MANUFACTURER’S DUTY TO REPAIR A VEHICLE
If a motor vehicle does not conform to all express warranties and the consumer reports
the nonconformity to the manufacturer, its agent or authorized dealer during the term
of the express warranties; a period of three years following the date of the motor
vehicle’s original delivery to a consumer; or the vehicle’s first 18,000 miles of operation
More at: bbb.org/us/auto-line/state-lemon-laws/
