{"id":31526,"date":"2016-03-31T19:21:37","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T00:21:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-legal\/uncategorized\/protecting-yourself-when-having-car-repaired.html"},"modified":"2017-11-24T09:14:19","modified_gmt":"2017-11-24T14:14:19","slug":"protecting-yourself-when-having-car-repaired","status":"publish","type":"corporate","link":"https:\/\/corporate.findlaw.com\/business-operations\/protecting-yourself-when-having-car-repaired.html","title":{"rendered":"Protecting Yourself When Having Car Repaired"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Taking your car to a mechanic is stressful. We fear being taken advantage of or being ripped off. Everyone knows stories of dishonest or untrustworthy auto repair shops. And since we may not understand exactly what the mechanic is doing and why, we are easy targets. However, there are some things that you can do to help you have the best outcome possible. Here are some tips to protect yourself when your car needs repair.<\/p>\n

Do Your Homework<\/b><\/p>\n

Your best protection from fraud and faulty repair work<\/a> is finding a reputable mechanic or repair shop. Ask your friends for a reference. See if they have mechanics who are certified by the Automotive Service Excellence<\/a> (ASE). Find out if they have been recognized by AAA "Approved Auto Repair Network<\/a>".<\/p>\n

After you select some repair shops, call the local Better Business Bureau<\/a> or Attorney General’s office and ask if anyone has complained about the shops you are considering. You may also ask the shops for the names of past customers you can contact to see if they were satisfied with the shop’s work.<\/p>\n

Get It In Writing<\/b><\/p>\n

You should ask the repair shop to give you a written estimate before any work is done on your vehicle. Tell the mechanic, "If my car requires any additional parts or labor over the estimate, call me with the information before you do anything." Your final bill should be close to the estimate. If the charge is much higher than the estimate, or if the work was done without your authorization and you feel that you have been overcharged, question the bill. Have the shop explain it to you in writing, and keep that information.<\/p>\n

If you refuse to pay a repair bill, the mechanic has the legal right to keep your car<\/a> until you pay!<\/p>\n

If You Have Been Overcharged<\/b><\/p>\n

If you have been overcharged, you may call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection office nearest you. Only a private attorney is likely to be able to get your car back without paying the unreasonable charge, but the court proceedings necessary can be expensive. Often the easiest solution is to pay the bill, making it clear that you do not agree to it, then sue the shop for return of the excessive amount plus penalties under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Remember to:<\/p>\n