It’s always a relief to have car problems fixed – that is until you drive away from the auto repair shop and have a problem. Fortunately, unpleasant problems are the exception, not the norm. That said, it’s essential to know what to do if your car repair goes wrong.
Contact the Auto Repair Facility
The first thing you should do is contact the facility that performed the repair. Sometimes a simple oversight or mistake can create a faulty repair. If you’ve been happy with the work your mechanic carried out in the past, it’s important not to rush to judgment. Contact the car repair center and explain the situation. Most car repairs that go wrong can be resolved by reasoning with the technician and working out a mutually agreeable solution.
Research the Repair Issue
When a car repair goes wrong, it can be tricky to tell whether the technician acted reasonably. Consider going online, posting the details of the repair problem on message boards focused on the issue, and find out what others have to say. You may even come across professionals on these forums.
Call a Different Car Repair Shop
If the auto shop that performed the repair won’t work with you, call a different one and ask their opinion. You’ll need to have the detailed work order you should have received initially (and receipt) in hand because they’ll help the new shop determine if the repair was done correctly. Also, if possible, keep any replaced parts because they can be helpful evidence when a car repair goes wrong.
Contact the Better Business Bureau
If you’re not satisfied, it’s time to get help from third parties like the Better Business Bureau. You can also file a complaint with your local or state consumer protection agency.
Dispute the Charges
If you paid for the repairs with a credit card, you could try disputing the charges. However, a successful chargeback does not prevent the auto repair facility from initiating legal action. If you work with a repair shop that has a good reputation, it probably won’t get to this point.
What Are Your Rights?
Your rights will depend on whether the technician acted reasonably regarding the repair. For example, if the repair wasn’t successful, however, the technician took practical steps to identify and fix the issue, you will probably not be legally entitled to compensation. Most auto care facilities don’t guarantee that everything will go flawlessly.
If Necessary, Take Legal Action
When a car repair goes wrong, unresolved complaints often end up in small claims court. In addition, you might have a right to incidental or so-called consequential damages when a car repair goes wrong, especially if the technician’s negligence brought on damages beyond the quoted repair costs. If fraud is involved, you might be able to collect damages and legal fees. Consider talking to a consumer attorney, especially if the problem involves a significant amount of money.
Make sure you use a car shop that guarantees their work, has a top shop rating, and an A BBB rating. At Hi-Tech Car Repair, we guarantee most parts and service for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. We’ve been in the valley for over 72 years, and we’ll be here when you need us. Contact us today to learn more.
