State lemon law · checked October 23, 2026
Verified against the statute / official state publicationS.C. Code §§56-28-10–56-28-110
| Presumption window | The defect must first occur within the express warranty term AND within the first 12 months / 12,000 miles. |
|---|---|
| Same defect | 3+ repair attempts |
| Days out of service | 30+ calendar days |
The presumption is the set of numbers that shifts the burden to the manufacturer. A claim can exist outside the presumption — it is a shortcut, not the whole road. Read why.
Deduction = full purchase price × miles traveled before the first report of the nonconformity ÷ 120,000.
Send written notice by registered, certified, or express mail. The manufacturer has 10 business days to name a reasonably accessible facility, then up to 10 more business days after you deliver the vehicle to complete the final repair.
Dispute route: If the manufacturer maintains a qualified informal dispute settlement procedure, that step comes first — it binds the manufacturer, not you.
Attorney's fees: A court may award reasonable costs, expenses, and attorney's fees to a consumer who finally prevails.
The South Carolina Act prints no single filing deadline; the 12-month / 12,000-mile first-occurrence window and the notice sequence are the operative clocks. The SC Department of Consumer Affairs publishes a lemon law checklist — use it.
| New vehicles | Covered |
|---|---|
| Leased vehicles | Covered |
| Used vehicles | Not covered |
| Motorcycles | Covered |
| RV / motor home | Covered — chassis / powertrain only |
Your repair-log tracker, the South Carolina notice letter, the buyback worksheet on South Carolina's formula, and your deadline calendar.
Checked October 23, 2026. Laws change; if your claim is close to a line, verify the current statute or ask a lawyer in South Carolina. This page is information, not legal advice.