What to do when your car is a lemon

Lemon is a slang term used in both American and British English to describe a car that has so many faults and issues that it is literally un-drivable. Many auto experts actually identify two forms of lemons. The first is a new lemon and the second is a cut-and-shut lemon. 

A new lemon is used to describe a brand new car that you buy which has mechanical defects, thereby making it undriveable. Take for example this recent article in the SCMP. There was a complaint lodged by a consumer with the Hong Kong Consumer Council revolving around "a brand-new seven-seater car at HK$280,000. But even before the vehicle had reached a mileage of 2,000km, it was already failing to start up properly after brief halts, say, at traffic lights." The car in this case is a classic example of a new lemon - you would expect a brand new car to not stop working with less than 2,000 km driven.

A cut-and-shut/chop shop lemon, also commonly called a clipping or zipper-car, on the other hand, is a used car that has had a defect or been in an accident then repaired with parts from another car in order to make it appear like an essentially new car. While this is a common practice, the lemon aspect comes into play when these cars have been repaired poorly. There have been numerous stories in the news in Hong Kong of repair shops that have poorly repaired a car and then sold it as if it was new, only to have the "new-used" car break down or fall apart while being driven.

At first glance motor insurance policies, like those sold by Kwiksure, - which focus on accident protection - and lemons may not be directly related, but there is a link and that's the fact that many lemons are actually quite dangerous, especially cut-and-shut cars. The reason for this is that if your car has been shoddily repaired, there is a higher chance that you could be in an accident, or you could cause an accident should the repairs fail when driving.

If this happens, you will be forced to submit insurance claims and subsequently deal with the claims process, which in Hong Kong can be highly inefficient. The key here is that if you are driving a lemon, you could be the cause of the next accident. If you are found to be at fault, then your insurance probably won't cover the damage.

Obviously you don't want to be saddled with the repair costs usually attributed to a lemon, or be the cause of a potential accident, so before you buy a car follow these steps to ensure you won't be buying a lemon.

For new cars

When buying a brand new car, it can be tough to determine whether the car will still be driving well in the near future. Our best advice here is to do your research ahead of time. Take a look at reviews for the models you are considering, followed by historical reports sites like Top Gear, car1, and AutoMomo all have reviews of cars sold in Hong Kong. Be sure, however, to take each review with a grain of salt, as many of the larger car review websites may actually be paid or compensated to make reviews better. You could also talk to mechanics at well known shops, as they will be able to tell you what models they repair the most and general quality of most vehicles in the city.

Another option is to look at car reviews from other countries. For example the US, Canada, and the UK do have some similar model vehicles as those sold in Hong Kong and reviews from websites could provide more information on the general quality of vehicles. Online car forums are also a great idea, as many car owners in Hong Kong who have had problems with their vehicles will take to forums to complain.

If you do have problems with your new car, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. The first is to contact the dealer or manufacturer of your car, as they may be willing to repair or replace your vehicle. You can also contact The Customs and Excise Department, which is the government body responsible for enforcing the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, which protects consumers from unfair trade practices including the sale of faulty vehicles.

For used cars

With used cars you have a little more power in avoiding poor quality cars than with new cars. To help, we actually wrote an article on buying a second hand car in Hong Kong which can be viewed on our blog here. The key takeaways from this article, when it comes to avoiding lemon cars at least, is that you need to be sure to:

• Check the history of the vehicle - don't forget to also research the make, model and year online to see if other people have been having problems with a similar car.
• Test drive the car in a number of situations - this means taking it out on the highway, driving in traffic, and even in parking lots or garages.
• Take it to a certified mechanic - lists of the best are available on most insurance sites and sites like the Hong Kong Automobile Association.

Finally, as with any vehicle in Hong Kong, you are going to need insurance, so be sure to secure that before you purchase the vehicle. If you have any questions about insurance and vehicles, be sure to contact the experts at Kwiksure, we can help ensure you are covered with the best insurance on the market.