Commercial Vehicles Under the New Hampshire Lemon Law
How New Hampshire's 11,000-lb weight threshold affects commercial vehicles — and why Magnuson-Moss and the CPA carry the load for heavier trucks and fleets.
The New Hampshire Lemon Law draws its main line at vehicle weight: it covers four-wheel motor vehicles of 11,000 lbs GVWR or less (excluding tractors). So lighter work vehicles are covered regardless of business use, while heavier trucks and tractors are carved out.
What’s covered and excluded
- Covered — four-wheel vehicles 11,000 lbs GVWR or less (including light work trucks, vans, and pickups), plus motorcycles/OHRVs/snowmobiles.
- Excluded — vehicles over 11,000 lbs GVWR and tractors.
The weight line, not a use test
New Hampshire’s primary cutoff is the 11,000-lb weight threshold rather than a flat consumer-only rule — so a light commercial vehicle (a half-ton pickup, a cargo van under the weight limit) used for work can be covered. Heavier commercial trucks and tractors fall outside.
What fills the gap for heavier vehicles
- Magnuson-Moss — federal warranty claims; § 2310(d)(2) fees (subject to the consumer-product definition).
- NH CPA — for unfair or deceptive practices in a fleet purchase, with treble damages and mandatory fees.
- UCC breach-of-warranty (RSA 382-A:2-314 / -315) — 4-year SOL.
New Hampshire commercial-vehicle context
- Trades, logging, and plowing run heavy trucks in rural and White Mountains areas.
- Road salt is hard on commercial vehicle electrical and brake systems.
- Rural distances affect commercial downtime.
Bottom line
New Hampshire covers four-wheel vehicles up to 11,000 lbs regardless of business use; heavier trucks and tractors rely on Magnuson-Moss and the CPA. Get a free case review to assess coverage.
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