Commercial Vehicles Under Georgia Lemon Law

Georgia’s Lemon Law covers vehicles used primarily for personal, family, or household use, up to 10,000 lbs GVWR. Commercial-use vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles are generally excluded.

For commercial-use vehicles, FBPA and Magnuson-Moss provide alternative remedies.

Who’s covered

Georgia Lemon Law tends to focus on mixed-use, self-employed, and small business vehicles with significant personal-use components — as long as GVWR is under 10,000 lbs.

Common commercial-vehicle defect categories

Same patterns as for personal vehicles.

Where FBPA applies

FBPA’s definition of “consumer” under § 10-1-392(a)(6) is broad. FBPA provides:

• Actual damages.
• Exemplary damages (treble) for intentional violations.
• Mandatory attorney fees under § 10-1-399(d).

The FBPA carve-out for trade transactions can complicate commercial claims — Georgia courts evaluate the underlying purpose case-by-case.

Consequential damages — lost business

Lost business income recoverable as consequential damages under FBPA.

Substitute vehicle costs

Recoverable as incidental damages.

What manufacturers typically argue

• “Purely commercial; Lemon Law doesn’t apply.”
• “Over 10,000 lbs GVWR; excluded.”
• “Operator abuse.”
• “Overloading.”
• “FBPA doesn’t reach commercial transactions.”

What you should do

1. Determine usage pattern.
2. Confirm GVWR.
3. Pull every repair order.
4. Quantify lost business income.
5. Document substitute-vehicle costs.
6. Send 30-day FBPA pre-suit notice.
7. Get a free case review.

For Georgia commercial cases, FBPA is typically the primary avenue.

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