Mechanic Scams
"The Car Repair Blues"

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Sooner or later we all face car repairs. You can prevent problems connected with repairs by dealing with established, reputable auto repair facilities. Seek the guidance of trusted friends, relatives and acquaintances to find mechanics in your area who are certified, reliable, fair and competent. Be wary of "shade tree mechanics" who quote you a low price but are probably uncertified and therefore unregulated.

Luckily, Michiganders are protected by laws in the area of automotive repair. Let’s first go through this short list of questions to make sure the mechanic did what he was supposed to and that you are aware of some of your rights. After that, we’ll tell you what steps you should take if you believe you have been taken advantage of by a mechanic.

1.         Was the mechanic certified to do the repair work?
Make sure the mechanic was certified to work in that area of motor vehicle repair. For example, a mechanic cannot fix a transmission unless he has been state-certified for transmission repair. Mechanics are required to display their certificates, which show that they are state-certified, openly for customers to see. The only time a mechanic may work without state-certification is if he has a trainee permit for that area of motor vehicle repair. Even then, he must be working under a certified mechanic all of the time.

2.         Did the mechanic provide you with a written estimate?
If the cost of repairing the vehicle is $20 or more, the mechanic is required to give you a written estimate. The mechanic must do this, even if you don’t ask for it! If the repair will cost less than $20, no written estimate is required, unless you ask for it. The written estimate must state what work will be done, how long it is going to take, the cost of parts, and the cost of labor. Remember, you should have received the estimate BEFORE the mechanic began repairs.

3.         Was the actual cost of the work more than the estimate?
Look at the written estimate and look at what you actually paid. If you ended up paying $10 more or 10% more than the written estimate (whichever is less), then the mechanic should have contacted you first. He should have contacted you to tell you how much more the costs would be and to get your permission to go ahead with the repairs.

4.         Did you sign any paperwork before the work began?
If you signed anything, you should have received a copy of the paperwork.

5.         Did you get an itemized invoice?
When all was said and done, the mechanic should have given you a final invoice that listed the cost of labor and information about the parts (cost, what was installed, whether the parts were new, used, or rebuilt).

6.         Did you ask for the replaced parts?
The law allows you to ask for the replaced parts. If you do, the mechanic must give them to you. There are times when you may be required to pay a core cost, however.

If you have been taken advantage of by a mechanic, here is what you should do.

Step 1
Try to settle the dispute with the repair shop. Calmly talk to the manager. Explain the problem you have clearly and accurately. Let the manager know what you think is fair and whether or not you are willing to negotiate. If this does not work let the manager know you are going to file a complaint with the state Bureau of Regulatory Services, a division of the Secretary of State.

Step 2
If you can’t settle the dispute directly with the repair shop, contact the state. There is a special automotive complaint form that is published by the Michigan Department of State. You can access it online at http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1585_1620-31315--,00.html or pick one up at your local Secretary of State branch. The department will let you know whether it is a situation that it can handle or not. If the department can’t handle the situation, then it will point you in the appropriate direction. For instance, it may tell you to contact another state agency or the court system. The Secretary of State attempts to handle all complaints as swiftly and effectively as possible. In most situations, an investigator will look at the complaint within a week of receiving it. How long it takes to resolve the situation depends on the severity of the problem.