• If you purchased a lemon, Nebraska lemon law may provide some protection.car image by sasha from Fotolia.com
  
  Nebraska lemon law provisions stipulate specific requirements that must be met before a vehicle can be considered a "lemon." These provisions are intended to ensure that consumers' rights are protected while ensuring that manufacturers and other third party dealers sell quality products. If you are planning to purchase new or used vehicle, it is important to first understand some of the basic requirements to receive lemon law protection.
  
  

Used Vehicles that are sold "As Is"

• A vehicle is considered "as is" if it sold without any warranty. If you purchased such a vehicle in Nebraska, the vehicle is not eligible for any lemon law protection. As a result, a manufacturer or dealer is not required to make any repairs on the vehicle, irrespective of the vehicle's condition.
  
  

Extended Warranties and Service Contracts

• An "extended warranty" or "service contract" is any amount of money you pay a dealer or any third party selling a vehicle to cover any defects that are noticed beyond an express or implied warranty. Nebraska lemon law provisions do not recognize service contracts and extended warranties. Therefore, if you purchase a service contract or extended warranty, such a purchase does not in any way extend any Nebraska lemon law benefits.
  
  

Duty to Repair Under Express Warranty

• Nebraska lemon law provides that manufacturers and their agents or authorized dealers have a duty to repair a defective vehicle if you report such a defect within your warranty period or within one year from the date of the original delivery of your vehicle, whichever comes first. The law provides that the vehicle must conform to the condition stated in the express warranty, irrespective of the expiration of the express warranty or one-year period.
  
  

Manufacturer's Duty to Replace Vehicle or Refund Price

• If your manufacturer is not able to bring your vehicle up to the condition stated in the express warranty after a reasonable number of attempts, and such a condition significantly affects the value and use of your vehicle, you may be eligible for benefits under the state's lemon law provisions. The law provides that the manufacturer has a duty to either provide you with a similar vehicle in value or refund the full amount you paid towards the vehicle. The refund must also include all additional fees, which may include but are not limited to registration fees, sales taxes and license fees. If the vehicle was used for a specific length of time before the defect was noticed, the law allows the manufacturer to refund you proportional to any significant depreciation of the vehicle.
  
  

Statute of Limitation

• If you would like to receive protection under Nebraska's lemon law provisions, as stated in sections 60-2701 to 60-2709 of the Nebraska lemon code, you must bring any action against the vehicle's manufacturer within one year after the expiration of the express warranty or two years from the date when the vehicle was originally delivered to you, whichever comes first. No claims filed outside of this period are valid.