Virginia has lemon law to protect buyers of farm equipment

Just as there is a Virginia lemon law to protect purchasers of new automobiles, the state also provides protection for people purchasing new self-propelled farm equipment.

In the Code of Virginia, Title 59.1, Chapter 17.2 covers “Agricultural Equipment Warranties” and offers “protection against defective agricultural equipment.”

Wilmer Stoneman, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation associate director of governmental relations, looked into the issue after a Farm Bureau member experienced problems with a new tractor.

“I dug around a bit and found out that there is indeed a section of code that protects against defective agricultural equipment, and that virtually no one knew that this law existed,” Stoneman said.

“It is really important that farmers take action if they have any issues with newly purchased equipment. Too often they just find out a way to deal with defective equipment or simply don’t know there is a remedy for their situation.”

According to the code, when agricultural equipment does not conform to all applicable express written warranties, and it is reported to the manufacturer, its agent or an authorized dealer during the period of one year following the date of original delivery of the equipment to the consumer, repairs must be made to conform the equipment to express written warranties. To read the code in its entirety, visit law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode.