What If I Am Awarded A Repurchase?

If you are awarded a repurchase of your vehicle, the arbitrator will determine your refund based on the following:

if you purchased the vehicle, you will be refunded the cash price of the vehicle in the sales agreement (minus any manufacturer rebate) if you have a loan balance, the lender will be paid from your refund;
if you leased the vehicle, you will be refunded the total of all lease payments that you made, including inception and security deposit payments (not including any manufacturer rebate) the manufacturer will be responsible for any remaining lease obligations.

NOTE: if you are a second or subsequent owner, a repurchase award will be based on your purchase price not the original owner`s purchase price.

The following types of items are also included in a refund of either leased or purchased vehicles:

collateral charges sales or lease related charges including sales and use tax, finance charges, initial and monthly lease payments, dealer preparation and transportation charges, prorated license, registration and title fees, prorated insurance costs, nonrefundable portions of credit life and disability insurance, service contracts, undercoating, rustproofing and other factory or dealer installed options;
incidental costs reasonable expenses paid by you related to repairs including costs of towing and obtaining alternate transportation.
legal fees if the manufacturer was represented by counsel, the arbitrator will also award reasonable costs and attorney`s fees which you may have incurred in connection with the arbitration process.

Your refund will be the total of the award less an offset for use and less any lienholder interests in the vehicle. If your vehicle is leased, your refund will be the award total less an offset for use and the manufacturer will be responsible for paying off your lease obligation.

Other Washington Lemon Law FAQs

Q: What Is The Lemon Law?
A: The Washington State Motor Vehicle Lemon Law is designed to help new vehicle owners who have substantial continuing problems with warranty repairs. The law allows the … More
Q: What Vehicles Are Covered Under The Lemon Law?
A: The law covers most classes of motor vehicles including demonstrators which have an original retail purchase or lease in Washington and are originally registered in … More
Q: What Vehicles Are Not Covered Under Lemon Law?
A: The law does not cover problems caused by owner abuse or negligence, or any unauthorized modifications or alterations made to the vehicle. Nor does the Lemon Law cover … More
Q: What Is A Lemon?
A: Your vehicle may qualify as a lemon if it has one or more substantial defects that have been subject to a reasonable number of attempts to diagnose or repair the … More
Q: What Is The Warranty Period?
A: To determine whether you have a claim under Lemon Law you will have to determine whether at least one attempt to diagnose or repair each defect occurred under the … More
Q: I Have A Lemon. What Should I Do?
A: Gather all your documents, records, and repair reports and organize them. Evaluate how your vehicle qualifies as a lemon based on your records. Write to the … More
Q: What Information Needs To Be Included On The Request For Arbitration Form?
A: When completing the form, clearly describe each defect, when each attempt to diagnose or repair occurred, the mileage on your vehicle at the time of each attempt, the … More
Q: What Is An Arbitration Hearing?
A: Arbitration hearings are much less complicated than court trialsthere are no formal rules of evidence or court procedures, and the hearings are designed to be as easy … More
Q: Scheduling An Arbitration Hearing
A: On the Request For Arbitration form you are asked to state a preferred time for the hearing. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER THIS CAREFULLY. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT (AND … More
Q: Who Will Attend The Arbitration Hearing?
A: Hearings usually will be attended by you and any witnesses, a manufacturer`s representative, any manufacturer witnesses, and the arbitrator. All hearings are open to … More