Virginia Lemon Law
Dealing with a Defective Vehicle in Virginia?
If your new vehicle keeps returning to the dealer for the same defect, Virginia’s lemon law may entitle you to a refund or a replacement vehicle — but manufacturers rarely volunteer either. An experienced Virginia lemon law attorney turns your repair history into a documented claim the manufacturer has to answer, on the statute’s timeline instead of the dealership’s.
Our firm was founded by former car-manufacturer defense counsel. We know how automakers evaluate and resist these claims, we handle the notice and filing requirements, and our fees are typically recovered from the manufacturer — not from you.
At a glance
Virginia Lemon Law: Key Facts
The Virginia Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act, Va. Code §§ 59.1-207.9 through 59.1-207.16:1.
New vehicles (including demonstrators) with a warranty nonconformity first reported within the 18-month Lemon Law rights period after delivery.
Presumed reasonable after 3 attempts for the same defect, 1 attempt for a serious safety defect, or 30+ cumulative days out of service. (§ 59.1-207.13.)
A refund of the full contract price including collateral charges such as taxes and finance charges, less a reasonable use allowance — or a comparable replacement vehicle.
How it works
How a Virginia Lemon Law Claim Works
- Warranty repairs begin
You report the defect and the dealer attempts repairs during the 18-month Lemon Law rights period.
- The presumption attaches
Three attempts, one serious-safety attempt, or 30 days out of service establishes the presumption under § 59.1-207.13.
- Notice and process
We put the manufacturer on written notice; if it maintains a qualifying informal dispute procedure, that step is completed without surrendering your rights.
- Act inside the window
Virginia’s deadlines are short — generally 18 months from delivery to bring an action (or 12 months after a program decision). We move fast to secure refund or replacement plus fees.
Virginia presumes a reasonable number of attempts after three repairs for the same defect, one attempt for a serious safety defect, or 30+ cumulative days out of service within the 18-month rights period. Deadlines are short — act promptly.
Working with counsel
Why Work With a Virginia Lemon Law Attorney
You can file on your own, but manufacturers defend these claims with experienced counsel. Here is what representation adds.
Our founder defended automakers before representing consumers — we know how manufacturers evaluate, delay, and contest Virginia claims.
We build the repair-order timeline that triggers Virginia’s statutory presumption and time the demand around it.
Fee-shifting under state law and the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act lets prevailing consumers recover attorney’s fees from the manufacturer. No attorney’s fees unless we recover§; clients may be responsible for certain costs.
From the first demand letter through arbitration or court, your case is managed by our team — you keep driving your life while we handle the claim.
Our story
Founded by Former Car Manufacturer Defense Counsel
Before representing consumers, our founder sat on the manufacturer’s side of these cases — evaluating claims, directing defense strategy, and deciding when automakers would pay. That experience now works for Virginia drivers: we know which repair records matter, how manufacturers value buybacks, and where their defenses break down.
Manufacturers often stall, hoping owners give up. We keep the statutory clock and the paperwork moving toward a resolution. A well-documented repair history and demand are what move a claim toward a repurchase, replacement, or cash settlement.
Outcomes
What a Virginia Lemon Law Claim Can Achieve
A refund of the price you paid plus qualifying charges, less a reasonable allowance for your use of the vehicle.
A comparable replacement vehicle — generally the same year and model with approximately the same mileage — if you prefer to stay in the same model — your election under most state programs.
Prevailing consumers can recover reasonable attorney’s fees from the manufacturer under state fee-shifting and Magnuson-Moss.
Many claims resolve with the driver keeping the vehicle plus a cash payment reflecting its diminished value.
1,800+
Virginia lemon law claims resolved.¶
¶ Figure reflects Virginia lemon law and vehicle warranty claims resolved by Lemon Law Group Partners from August 21, 2012 through June 30, 2026. Source: firm case-management records. “Resolved” means a claim concluded by manufacturer repurchase, replacement, cash settlement, or other negotiated resolution.
Your Virginia team
Virginia-Licensed Attorneys
Adam C. Mott, Esq.
Virginia warranty & lemon-law practice
Virginia Lemon Law FAQ
What is Virginia’s lemon law?
The Virginia Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act, Va. Code §§ 59.1-207.9 through 59.1-207.16:1, requires a manufacturer to replace a defective new vehicle or refund the purchase price when a warranty nonconformity is not corrected within a reasonable number of attempts during the 18-month lemon law rights period.
Do I qualify under the Virginia lemon law?
You may qualify if your vehicle was purchased or leased in Virginia (or is registered here), a warranty defect significantly impairs its use, market value, or safety, and the problem was first reported within 18 months of delivery.
How many repair attempts do I need in Virginia?
Under Va. Code § 59.1-207.13, a reasonable number of attempts is presumed after 3 repair attempts for the same defect, 1 attempt for a serious safety defect, or when the vehicle is out of service for a cumulative total of 30 or more days during the 18-month period.
What can I recover under the Virginia lemon law?
A comparable replacement vehicle, or a refund of the full contract price including collateral charges such as taxes, license fees, and finance charges, less a reasonable allowance for your use of the vehicle.
What is the deadline for a Virginia lemon law claim?
The defect must be reported within the 18-month lemon law rights period, and a civil action generally must be brought within 18 months after delivery — or, if you first used a manufacturer’s informal dispute process, within 12 months of its final decision. Deadlines here are short; act promptly.
Does the Virginia lemon law cover used cars?
The Act primarily covers new vehicles within the 18-month rights period, including demonstrators. Used vehicles are usually pursued under the manufacturer’s remaining warranty and the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act instead.
What does a Virginia lemon law case cost?
No attorney’s fees unless we recover; clients may be responsible for certain costs. The Act allows prevailing consumers to recover reasonable attorney’s fees and costs from the manufacturer, so claims are commonly handled on contingency.
Do I have to use arbitration in Virginia?
Only if the manufacturer maintains a qualifying informal dispute settlement procedure — and even then you are not bound to accept its outcome before pursuing your claim in court.
Official sources: Va. Code §§ 59.1-207.9–.16:1 — Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act · Va. Code § 59.1-207.13 — remedies and presumptions
Virginia Cities We Serve
We help drivers across Virginia. Choose your city for local case data, area dealerships, and venue:
