No. It only covers new passenger motor vehicles (cars, small trucks, and vans). What is not covered by South Carolina lemon law? Vehicle defects which do not considerably impair the vehicle’s use, safety, or market value are not covered. Also not covered are defects caused by the consumer’s neglect or unauthorized alteration of the car, or defects that do not show within the first 12,000 miles or 12 months (whichever happens first). What do I do if I find out that my new car has a defect? Please tell the vehicle manufacturer (or its agent) of the defect while the express warranty is still active. The manufacturer then has to make any repair efforts within a reasonable amount of time (at no cost to the consumer). The lemon law presumes a reasonable amount of time as either 3 repair attempts for the same defect or 30 days out of service for repairs. The thirty days do not necessarily have to be consecutive. What exactly happens if the manufacturer is unwilling or unable to repair the def