Am I responsible for a $1200 repair that did not work because the original diagnosis was incorrect?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Am I responsible for a $1200 repair that did not work because the original diagnosis was incorrect?
My car broke down on a trip and was towed to a local repair shop in MN. I was told a broken timing chain was the cause and the estimate was $1200 to cover a parts and labor to fix the car. I was told the car had a non-interference engine and valves/head would not be impacted. Days later after the repair should have been completed I received a call indicating the repair didn’t work due to bent valves in the head and for another $1600 that problem could be fixed. The $2800 total repair is approximately equal to the value of the car and not worth fixing to me.
Asked on July 30, 2011 Minnesota
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Did you sign any document before the repair process began with the repair shop that you took your vehicle to? If so, read it in that its terms most likely will control the rights and obligations between you and the automotive repair shop for work done on the vehicle.
Did you approve the initial cost estimate for the vehicle that was $1,200.00? Did you approve the second estimate for $1,600.00? If you did not approve any of the estimates verbally or in writing, there is a chance that you might not be responsible for these costs under your state's laws. If you approved the estimates, you are responsible for the costs even though the $1,200.00 repair did not work because the mechanic's initial diagnosis for your vehicle was wrong.
One way to possibly resolve the $2,800.00 repair bill facing you is to speak with the owner of the repair shop to see if there is some way the amount claimed owed can be reduced.
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Did you sign any document before the repair process began with the repair shop that you took your vehicle to? If so, read it in that its terms most likely will control the rights and obligations between you and the automotive repair shop for work done on the vehicle.
Did you approve the initial cost estimate for the vehicle that was $1,200.00? Did you approve the second estimate for $1,600.00? If you did not approve any of the estimates verbally or in writing, there is a chance that you might not be responsible for these costs under your state's laws. If you approved the estimates, you are responsible for the costs even though the $1,200.00 repair did not work because the mechanic's initial diagnosis for your vehicle was wrong.
One way to possibly resolve the $2,800.00 repair bill facing you is to speak with the owner of the repair shop to see if there is some way the amount claimed owed can be reduced.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.