In any action by a consumer against the manufacturer of a motor vehicle, or the manufacturer’s agent or authorized dealer, based upon the alleged breach of an express or implied warranty made in connection with the sale or lease of such motor vehicle, the court, in its discretion, may award to the plaintiff his costs and reasonable attorney’s fees or, if the court determines that the action was brought without any substantial justification, may award costs and reasonable attorney’s fees to the defendant.

Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 42-180

  • Consumer: means the purchaser, other than for purposes of resale, of a motor vehicle, a lessee of a motor vehicle, any person to whom such motor vehicle is transferred during the duration of an express warranty applicable to such motor vehicle, and any person entitled by the terms of such warranty to enforce the obligations of the warranty. See Connecticut General Statutes 42-179
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
  • Motor vehicle: means a passenger motor vehicle, a passenger and commercial motor vehicle or a motorcycle, as defined in §. See Connecticut General Statutes 42-179
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.