Lemon Law on an ATV in Virginia

Lemon ATVs are not covered under Virginia lemon law.

The Virginia lemon law, or Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act, covers purchasers of motor vehicles if they have bought a defective vehicle or "lemon." The text of the law does not cover all-terrain-vehicles.

Virginia Lemon Law

The lemon law is specific in covering motor vehicles, described as passenger cars, pickup or panel trucks, mopeds, self-propelled chassis of motor homes and motorcycles.

All Terrain Vehicles

All-terrain-vehicles are explicitly separated from motor vehicles under the act's definition. Any hope of squeezing in under the motorcycle category is dashed by the motorcycle definition in the act of "designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground".

Recompense For Defective ATVs

The lemon law cannot therefore be used to force a seller to replace a defective ATV. An alternative route is to check the terms of the warranty. If the ATV is under warranty, the seller must honor that warranty. Failing that, the manufacturer can be contacted and the issue handled under its arbitration system.

References

• Car Laws: Virginia Lemon Law
• Virginia General Assembly: Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act
• Virginia General Assembly: Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act