Minnesota Lemon Law Summary
STANDARDS OF THE MINNESOTA LEMON LAW
The following is a brief explanation of most relevant provisions of the Minnesota lemon
law. The complete text of the lemon law can be found at Minn. Stat. Ann Sec. 325F.665.
VEHICLES COVERED
The Minnesota lemon law covers any “motor vehicle”, which it defines as any one of the
following that is sold or leased to a consumer in Minnesota:
1. A passenger automobile designed and used for carrying not more than 15 persons
including the driver, including a pickup truck or van;
2. The self-propelled chassis or van portion of a recreational vehicle; and
3. The self-propelled motor vehicle chassis or van portion of an ambulance.
The lemon law covers used vehicles.
CONSUMERS COVERED
The lemon law covers “consumers” who fall into either of the following categories:
1. The purchaser or lessee, other than for purposes of resale or sublease, of a new
motor vehicle used for personal, family, or household purposes at least 40 per cent of
the time;
2. A person to whom the new motor vehicle is transferred for the same purposes during
the duration of the manufacturer’s written warranty; and
3. A licensed ambulance service that purchased or leased a new ambulance or a person
to whom the ambulance is transferred for the same purpose during the duration of
the manufacturer’s written warranty.
VEHICLE CONVERTERS
The lemon law applies to vehicle converters.
PROBLEMS COVERED
The lemon law applies to any defect or condition that does not conform to the
manufacturer’s written warranty and that substantially impairs the use or market value
of the motor vehicle to the consumer. These are referred to as nonconformities.
The lemon law provides the manufacturer with an affirmative defense if it can be shown
that the nonconformity (1) does not substantially impair the use or market value of the
vehicle, or (2) is the result of abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modifications or
alterations of the motor vehicle by anyone other than the manufacturer, its agent or
authorized dealer.
More at: bbb.org/us/auto-line/state-lemon-laws/
