Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Virginia

Car Mechanics Laws
I would like to know if there are laws governing auto mechanics fixing your car. I have a car I had fixed, and the mechanic had somebody else fix the heads, grind heads down, install valves, and valve guides, etc. The mechanic took them out, and took them to the other person who did the other work. He said it would be like a new car. A couple of monts later, the same thing happened to the same
valve, that the mechanic had said had messed up. My brother-in law looked at the car, and used a boroscope
to look down into the head. The car has been ruined by the
valve that dropped down into the cylinder. Does Va, have a
law to make the mechanic pay back for damage of my car.
I took it to court, but the mechanic had a lawyer, and
I didn't, the judge didn't want to do the case until I brought my brother-in-law to testify, and get a lawyer.

Asked on 4/28/04, 12:37 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

James McKinnon McKinnon & Associates, PLC

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Re: Car Mechanics Laws

If the mechanic misrepresented to you who was going to do the work or made other misrepresentations about the work on your car you may have a claim under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. If you can make a successful claim under the act, you can recover the cost of the damage to your car and possibly your attorneys' fees.

You may also have a cause of action for breach of contract. It would be important to know if you signed an agreement with the mechanic.

You also need to prove the amount of your damages by ascertaining how much it will cost to repair your car. If you obtain an estimate from a new mechanic, that new mechanic may also be able to bolster your brother-in-law's testimony as to cause of the damage to your car.

You may also have a claim under the Virginia Automobile Repair Facilities Act depending on the circumstances.

Answered on 4/29/04, 2:49 pm

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