Documenting Evidence for a Maryland Lemon Law Claim

Documentation is the foundation of every Maryland Lemon Law case. The 24-month / 18,000-mile Rights Period requires consistent, well-documented ROs.

What to document

1. Repair orders (the most important documents)

Every visit to the manufacturer-authorized service facility must produce a written repair order (RO). Each RO must contain:

• Date of vehicle drop-off and pickup.
• Mileage at drop-off and pickup.
• Customer complaint in your own words.
• Technician findings and work performed.
• Parts replaced.
• Authorized dealer name.
• VIN.

Insist on receiving a printed RO at every visit.

2. OOS day tracking — calendar days

For the 30-day threshold, track every day the vehicle is at the dealer (calendar days, includes weekends and holidays):

RO#	Drop-off	Pickup	Days OOS	Reason
12345	6/2	6/8	6	Transmission diagnosis
12678	7/14	8/15	32	Waiting parts

3. Written communications

Save copies of:

• Email correspondence with dealer service manager.
• Text messages with service advisor.
• Letters to/from manufacturer’s customer relations.
• BBB Auto Line filings if any.

4. Manufacturer customer-relations case file

Manufacturers open a customer-relations case when you escalate. Demand a written case summary.

5. Photos and video

• Defect manifestation (dashboard lights, fluid leaks, paint defects).
• Repair-shop intake photos.
• Driving-condition video.

6. Diagnostic data

For Tesla / EV cases, request the diagnostic logs. Most manufacturers maintain telematics records.

Common documentation mistakes

• Going to independent mechanics — repairs don’t count toward Lemon Law thresholds.
• Vague RO descriptions — describe symptoms specifically.
• No printed RO — demand one anyway.
• Inconsistent complaint language — describe the same symptom the same way at each visit.

Maryland-specific considerations

• Multi-county travel — Maryland plaintiffs may visit dealers in different counties; any authorized dealer counts.
• Coastal corrosion documentation — for Eastern Shore / Chesapeake Bay vehicles, distinguish defect from salt-air corrosion.
• DC-area registration — vehicles registered in DC but purchased in MD may face jurisdictional questions.
• Federal-employee documentation discipline — federal employees often maintain meticulous records that strengthen cases.

Bottom line

The repair orders and OOS day tracking ARE the case. Maryland’s 24-month / 18K window provides reasonable time, but every day counts. Get a printed RO every visit, and keep them all.

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