Legal Question in Business Law in California

Re: Stolen car at mechanic shop

Probably. Contact your insurance company and theirs, and the police, to report the theft.

Re: Stolen car at mechanic shop

Not necessarily. Generally, one is not responsible for the unforseeable criminal acts of others.

Nevertheless, the auto repair shop could be liable under another theory - bailment. You left your car with the auto repair shop and you expected it to be returned. The auto repair shop is required to exercise reasonable care, considering it is being paid to repair your property.

If you have theft insurance for your car, you should file a claim, and let your carrier (the insurance company) deal with the issue of whether the auto repair shop is responsible. That's why you have insurance.

If you don't have insurance, then you will need to sue the auto repair shop.