Documenting Evidence for a Maine Lemon Law Claim

Documentation wins Maine lemon-law cases. Because the presumption can be met with just 15 business days out of service (or 3 attempts, or 1 for braking/steering), contemporaneous records — especially the day count — are decisive.

The core record: repair orders

For every dealer visit, keep the repair order showing:

• Date in and date out — for the 15-business-day out-of-service count.
• Your description of the defect — consistent across visits.
• The diagnosis and work performed (or “no problem found”).
• Mileage at each visit — relevant to the 18,000-mile cap and the use offset.
• Parts-on-order notes — rural dealers often wait on parts.

Request a printed copy at every visit. “No problem found” visits count if you reported the defect.

Count business days — Maine’s 15-day trigger

Maine’s 15-business-day out-of-service threshold is exceptionally low — half the common 30-day standard. Track every business day the vehicle is in the shop for warranty repair. With rural North Woods dealer distances and parts-shipping delays, 15 business days is realistically reachable — so the day log is often the strongest path to the presumption.

Track the same-nonconformity count

Visit	Date in	Date out	Business days OOS	Defect reported	Parts on order?	Outcome

Flag any braking or steering failure prominently — it may trigger the one-attempt rule.

Preserve the written notice

Keep a copy of the written notice of your desire for a refund/replacement, and proof of delivery — to the manufacturer or the dealer (as agent under § 1163(6-A)). Document the 7-business-day final repair.

Evidence for the UTPA

For a Maine UTPA claim (actual damages, restitution, mandatory fees), preserve:

• TSBs and recall notices matching your defect.
• Sales/marketing representations.
• Misrepresentation or nondisclosure evidence (prior damage, title, odometer).
• Your 30-day pre-suit demand letter (a UTPA prerequisite).

Build the damages record

• Purchase/lease contract — price, finance charges, and collateral charges for the refund.
• Towing / storage / alternative-transportation receipts — recoverable.
• Loaner records — if no comparable loaner was provided, the $25/day arbitration damages may apply.

Bottom line

In Maine, the presumption often turns on an accurate 15-business-day out-of-service count — track every day, especially with rural dealer and parts delays. Preserve written notice and (for the UTPA) the 30-day demand. Get a free case review.

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