Consumer Rights

By Dave Trux

We’ve all heard the horror stories about dishonest mechanics in the auto repair industry and how they’ve taken advantage of inexperienced and unsuspecting car owners. Fortunately, the vast majority of shops out there don’t work that way. Hopefully, you’ve selected a repair facility that you’re confident does business the right way, with complete honesty and transparency, which should greatly quiet those fears. On the other hand, having blind faith is never advisable when your hard earned cash is about to exchange hands, which is why it’s so important to understand your rights as a consumer.

Before you take your car in for its next service or repair, take a moment to review the following rights, which are your rights as a consumer.

1. Your right to a written estimate: When you first drop off your vehicle, you have the right to a written estimate, which should give you a general breakdown of the repairs that are expected to be performed as well as a cost of those repairs.
2. Your right to authorize or decline any or all repairs. No repair can be made without your authorization. The repair facility must get your verbal or written approval before making any repairs on your vehicle. If the repair facility fails to get your permission, you can contest all the unauthorized repairs done to your vehicle.
3. Your right to authorize or decline additional repairs. In our business, it’s fairly common to find additional damages beyond what is initially diagnosed. You have a right to know exactly what those damages are as well as the estimated costs to fix those damages.
4. Your right to your old parts. You have the right to request and receive your old parts, but you need to do it when you first authorize the repair and not when you come in to pick up your vehicle. Most smooth running shops will dispose of old parts immediately to stay clean and uncluttered.
5. Your right to understand the shop’s warranty. The industry standard is a 12 month or 12,000 mile warranty on repairs, but don’t make the mistake of assuming that your shop offers this because many do not. Be sure to have a conversation about the shop warranty with the person in charge, especially if you’re not adequately covered by the company that sold you your vehicle. My bottom line advice is simple: cover your assets and drive away smiling!