The Lemon Laws are there to protect you but the one thing you normally don't want to have to do is actually use them, because that means you've gone and bought yourself a 'bad one'. You don't normally count the odd squeaks and rattles because they're just fair wear and tear, but if you are suffering from major vehicle defects, such as with the engine, drive axle, brakes, steering or radiator, then you will want to start keeping a paper trail because you've probably landed yourself with a lemon.

As always in these situations, check your warranty first. Don't attack the manufacturer right away but give them an opportunity to put things right, and give them adequate time to do so - some defects can take 3 or 4 attempts to put right.

If you are experiencing major problems with your car, however, the most important thing you can do is keep all receipts and records concerning your vehicle. Be sure you have a copy of the car guarantee in a safe place. Keep all receipts concerning repairs that have been made to your vehicle. You might also want to consider keeping a log or notebook that contains all of this relevant information, including the number of days as a running tally that it was kept in the shop for a related problem. Start to research the Lemon Law in your state.

You may also want to research whether any 'service bulletins' have been issued for your make and model of car (this can be accomplished with a simple Google search). Do your homework, copy any information you find and put it in your notebook. Keep logs, as you may need this information later on in the event that you need to file a claim under your state's Lemon Law.

Dealers are required to give you a written car warranty under which they must repair, free of charge, any problems that occur in those parts that are covered. In some cases, the dealer may have the option to reimburse you for the reasonable cost of repairs but check your car warranty to see if this applies to you.

However, whilst that's fine for relatively minor cases, if your car needs major repair work then start researching the Lemon Law statutes in your state. Certain problems during the car guarantee period, such as noises and the odd rattle, usually don't constitute a defect, but a major problem will usually be in breach of the Lemon Law. Keep notes of the dates of all the repair work to your car and especially how long your vehicle was off the road being repaired. Keep the receipts for the repairs in a safe place.

If you think you might be driving a lemon, gather up all of your paperwork. Become familiar with your state's Lemon Law statute. Compile a list of Lemon Law attorneys. Check with the Attorney General's office in your state for more information on the certain statutes.

Take the time to put together all the necessary paperwork. Take the car service contract with you and be sure to have each and every work order performed on your car, as well as any service bulletins issued that may relate to the problem or defects you're having. Your will find that your individual state Lemon Law will include a list of records that you must have to proceed with an action. You should take with you any reports or correspondence you've received from the dealer concerning the repairs.

It all makes for a lot of paperwork, but, as with all legal matters, the devil is in the detail and you can never keep enough details to ensure a successful Lemon Law action.