What qualifies a defect under the Used Car Lemon Law?

The Used Car Lemon Law addresses issues that significantly affect the vehicle's safety, performance, or value, which are categorized as "material defects." A material defect is one that impairs the vehicle's use, safety, or value to the consumer. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the importance of focusing on major components of the vehicle—such as the engine, transmission, or brakes—whose failure can impede the safe operation or reliability of the car.

In contrast, minor cosmetic issues, defects that merely affect color, or normal wear and tear typically do not qualify as material defects under the law. These are often considered to be part of the car's expected condition over time and do not generally impact the vehicle's functionality or safety to a degree that would trigger lemon law protections. Such distinctions emphasize the law's focus on substantial issues that fundamentally alter the car's performance rather than superficial matters.