Legal Question in Consumer Law in California

Auto Repair Work Not Authorized
In California as I understand it, if a person takes his car into a repair shop to have it serviced; for example, an oil change, and the repair shop goes beyond what the car was taken in for without obtaining authorization, the customer is legally bound to pay only for the oil change.

Suppose a person takes his car in because of a problem and the mechanic says it sounds like a $500 job which the customer approves. Later, when the customer goes to get his car, he's told that the problem was something different and the repair cost $1,000.

Assuming the repair shop failed to tell the customer that the repair would cost more than what it was thought to be, is it legal for the customer to tell the mechanic that he's only paying the $500 he was told originally? And if so, does the shop have the right to hold the car hostage until the other $500 is paid?

Asked on 5/28/07, 8:21 pm

Jonathan Stein Law Offices of Jonathan G. Stein

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Re: Auto Repair Work Not Authorized

Call the BAR and file a complaint: http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/stdhome.asp

They should be able to help you.

Answered on 5/28/07, 10:23 pm

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