Start with the records. Repair orders, warranty documents, mileage, and days out of service are more useful than general assumptions about whether a vehicle qualifies.
If you’re heading into a California lemon law arbitration, your exhibits are your voice. They show the arbitrator what happened, when it happened, and how many times you tried to get the defect fixed. At ZapLemon, our lemon lawyers explain how to prepare professional, easy-to-follow exhibits so your story comes through clearly—without offering legal advice or promising any particular outcome.
California Lemon Law: Why Arbitration Exhibits Matter
California’s lemon law (the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act) protects consumers when a new or certified pre-owned vehicle has substantial defects that the manufacturer or its dealers can’t fix within a reasonable number of attempts. In arbitration—an informal hearing process many manufacturers offer—your exhibits are the proof behind your claim. They’re not just paperwork; they’re the roadmap that helps the arbitrator understand your vehicle’s history at a glance.
Well-organized exhibits make complex timelines simple. A stack of repair orders shows repeat defects, mileage at each visit, and whether the dealer documented the complaint the same way each time. Photos and short videos can illustrate warning lights, leaks, or intermittent issues like screen freezes or rattles. Clear records help connect the dots between your purchase, warranty coverage, repair attempts, and ongoing problems.
Arbitrators typically have limited time to review a file. Professional exhibit preparation—clean copies, consistent labeling, and a logical sequence—can make your evidence easy to absorb. That professionalism also signals credibility: you kept records, you followed warranty procedures, and you gave the manufacturer fair chances to repair. Whether the program is BBB AUTO LINE or a manufacturer-sponsored forum, good exhibits help the decision-maker focus on facts, not clutter.
How to Organize Exhibits: Records, Photos, Logs
Start with a simple, chronological exhibit list. Label each item “Exhibit 1,” “Exhibit 2,” and so on, with a short title and date: “Exhibit 1 – Purchase/Lease Agreement (05/12/2023),” “Exhibit 2 – Warranty Booklet,” “Exhibit 3 – Repair Order (08/02/2023 – 7,412 miles).” Group similar documents together—purchase/lease and registration, warranty and manufacturer communications, then repair orders and diagnostic printouts. If you’re submitting a PDF, combine everything into one bookmarked file with a table of contents; for paper, use a binder with tabbed dividers.
Repair records are usually your core exhibits. Include every repair order, invoice (even if $0 under warranty), dealer notes, parts lists, and any diagnostic trouble codes. Make sure dates and mileage are visible and legible. Keep originals for yourself and submit clear copies. If a repair order doesn’t reflect the defect you complained about, add a brief cover page summarizing what you reported that day (“Reported: stalling at stops; check engine light flickers”) without writing on the original record.
Use photos and logs to fill gaps. Take clear, date-stamped images of warning lights, leaks under the car, uneven tire wear, or dashboard errors. Short, safe videos can capture intermittent issues like screen resets or squeals—never record while driving, and don’t record calls without consent under California law. Maintain a simple symptom log with date, mileage, conditions (speed, temperature, terrain), what happened, and the result. A communications log—who you spoke with at the dealer or manufacturer, when, and what was discussed—helps show you pursued solutions through the proper channels.
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Use the case-review form to share the warranty, repair orders, dates, mileage, and supporting facts an attorney would need to evaluate, or call (844) 927-5366.
Attorney advertising. General information is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. No result is promised or guaranteed.