Legal Question in Consumer Law in California

bodyshop repairs and mechanical/electrical liability?

I took my Audi TT to the autobody shop designated by my insurance company following a car accident. They disconnected the battery and disassembled the door/electric window to perform cosmetic work on the car. Without my knowledge, they contracted some of the work to an authorized Audi repair shop. I don't know who did what, but we do know that the autobody shop was the one to first tamper with the electrical system in our car. The electrical system has never been the same, failing before I left the autobody shop the first time. It has been back in one shop or the other 5 times. The battery had to be replaced, the Electric window required repair (Twice), the electric fuel pump had to be replaced, and now the airconditioning is still not working. My car had 55,000 miles on it. It WAS in perfect running condition. has been in the shop for 46 of the last 60 days. Bodyshop is refusing to accept reponsibility for any costs to the electrical system and dropped my car off settling their own ''parts'' bill with the audi repair shop, wiping their hands of me. I have also incurred rental car costs. The Autobody repair estimate sates their work is warrantied. Out of pocket estimates at this time nearing $2000.00. Are they responsible?


Asked on 9/16/05, 1:18 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Daniel Harrison Berger Harrison, APC

Re: bodyshop repairs and mechanical/electrical liability?

Yes they are responsible. I think after the first and second times of seeking the repairs, the body shop was negligent. They have had ample time to make the repairs. They had a duty to advise you that they are incapable of making the repairs so that you could have taken your car to a worthy repair facility. You should contact your insurance company to report them and see if they will cover your rental car costs.

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Answered on 9/16/05, 9:47 am


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