Auto repair facilities customer rights

All automotive repair facilities must display a sign, in a place that can be easily viewed by customers, with the following information:

Your customer rights

You are entitled by law to:

• A written estimate for repairs that will cost more than one hundred dollars, unless waived or absent face-to-face contact (see bullet 4 below).
• Return or inspection of all replaced parts, if requested at time of repair authorization.
• Authorize orally or in writing any repairs that exceed the estimated total pre-sales tax cost by more than 10%.
• Authorize any repairs orally or in writing if your vehicle is left with the repair facility without face-to-face contact between you and the repair facility personnel.

You must pay for repairs before picking up your vehicle if you’ve authorized them.

Sign requirements

• The title letters of the sign must be at least 1.5 inches tall, and the other text must be at least 0.5 inches tall.

Important: Auto repair facilities must follow all the requirements listed above. If they don’t, they can’t claim a lien for unauthorized parts or labor on the vehicle or its parts.

Exemptions

Auto repair facilities are exempt from providing written repair estimates for vehicles that:

• Qualify for a horseless carriage license plate or collector vehicle license plate.
• Are considered a street rod vehicle, custom vehicle, or parts car.

This does not stop a customer in search of repair services for one of the vehicles listed above from requesting a written estimate, which may be provided at the discretion of the agent or employee of the automotive repair facility.  The repair facility will provide notification and documentation advising the customer that the requested repairs will be furnished on a time and materials basis, to be billed at least every two weeks.