Replacement Vehicle Under Maryland Lemon Law

Maryland Lemon Law (§ 14-1502(e)) gives the consumer the choice between refund and replacement. A replacement vehicle is a “comparable new motor vehicle” — same year, make, model, trim, and options.

What “comparable” means

A comparable replacement vehicle must have:

Same year, make, model, trim.
Same major options (drivetrain, transmission, infotainment, safety package, color where reasonable).
New (not used / demo).
Equal or better warranty — typically a fresh full manufacturer warranty.

Reasonable-use offset still applies

Under § 14-1502(e), the manufacturer is entitled to deduct for pre-defect use even on replacement.

When to choose replacement over refund

Brand loyalty — consumer wants the same model.
Long lead-time vehicles — replacement may be faster than re-buying.
EV-specific — battery defects often replaced with new battery + vehicle.
Lease-protected pricing — replacement preserves the original lease terms.

When refund is better

Brand-confidence damage — consumer wants to switch brands.
Discontinued model — comparable replacement may not exist.
Model-year transition — manufacturer changes affect “comparable” definition.
Settlement leverage — cash settlement often more flexible.