Auto Sales and Repair
Automobile Consumer Rights Summaries
Auto Repairs
Mass. Gen. Law Chapter 93A
940 Code of Mass. Regs. 5.00
All work not performed in a workmanlike manner must be repaired at no charge.
On request, you must be given a written repair estimate. If repairs are going to cost more than $10 above the estimate, the shop must get your permission to go ahead at the higher price before doing the work. Your authorization may be verbal if all disclosures are made to you. No charges are allowed for unauthorized work.
Repair shops cannot represent that certain repairs are necessary or desirable when such is not the case.
You have a right to get back any parts replaced by the repair shop. If covered by a warranty or rebuilding arrangement, you may view the parts, but may not be able to keep them.
I brought my car in for repairs a week ago, and now the auto repair shop is trying to charge me $600 more than the original estimate they gave me was. Is this legal?
A: That depends. In general, auto repair shops must give consumers a written repair estimate. If it turns out that the repairs are going to cost more than $10 above the estimate, the shop must get your permission to go ahead at the higher price before doing the work. A repair shop cannot charge you for unauthorized work, but remember that your authorization may be verbal if all disclosures are made to you. There are situations where this rule may not apply (for example, if you bring the vehicle in for repairs during non-working hours), so if you have any questions, please contact our Consumer Hotline.
For more information call our Consumer Complaint Hotline at (617) 727-8400
Edited by Hammer Time on March 17 2006 at 5:14 AM
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