When I fixed someones car, they refused to pay, can I repossess the car?

Question

I am a Mobile Mechanic...

I do not have Tax #, i do it on the side.
The car IS in ther possession.
There not answering Phones.

I have a Receipt for the parts and my labor cost. She wrote me a check and they dont have enough money in their account. When she wrote the check i made her sign a paper stating she WOULD pay the amount along with a $10.00 FEE

OKAY IM GOING BACK TO THERE HOUSE. IF SHE AGREES TO PAY BY A CERTAIN DATE, CAN I MAKE HER SIGN SOMETHING THAT SAYS " IF YOU DONT PAY BY XX/XX/XXXX YOUR CAR WILL BE REPOSSESSED.
WILL THIS WORK?

Answer 1

no you can't repo it but you can take them to small claims court

Answer 2

It would depend a lot on the local laws. I haven't been in that kind of work for many many years but when I was there was a legal recourse called a mechanic's lien. It is a legal action where you, the mechanic, actually become a lien holder on the title of the vehicle just like a finance holder. It's the same thing the government does when you refuse to pay taxes on your home. I found it usually cost more than you could ever hope to recover. It involves attorneys and you know where that will lead. Small claims court is almost certainly your best avenue. It will still cost a few dollars and you will loose work while in court. A third option is to write it off to experience and the cost of doing business and black ball the guy with every businessman you know. I think there is a provision on the current tax forms where businesses can deduct this sort of loss.

Good luck on any course you pursue.

Answer 3

The only way you can legally repossess a car is if you have the title for the car. You need to send letters and have a lot of documention to support why you are repoing the car. Did you do this as a side job or did you have anykind of work order that the customer signed. If you just did the job on the side and have no documention on your end there is not a whole lot legally you can do. YOu will just have to persue it with him directly

Answer 4

Not unless you have a contract stating such.When you work on cars on your own,or as a side business,you need to get a contract made up that says car must be paid for in full before pickup or arrangements must be made.Also,most contracts say that if the repair est is over 300.00 you have to notify the customer before the work is done.If they have already picked up the car,there is not a whole lot you can do except small claims court,which does not do much sadly.

Answer 5

so am i i do the mobile repair [see my name] in utah 20 years
i do have your answer
no you cannot reposes

just saw the update if she gave a check call the bank
every few days when it will clear go to there bank and cash it thain you are paid it most likly will cause their other checks to bounce but who cares about that

no you cannot touch there car or remove parts without permission
you can try the scair thing call a tow truck and a poliece officer who are friends go to there home with the poliece there give them a choice
have the car towed or give check if they give permission to tow tow it if they argue have the tow truck pretend to hook up however if the tow truck driver touches the car with out permission the poliece officer will arest you and the driver sorry
you cannot put a lien on it as you dont have possetion of it
you can block it in if you stay in your vehical at hhere home untill the poliece tell you to move
you will always win in small claims court thain you can lean it or better yet have the sherif impound it you will get the car as the lean holder
collection agencys can collect for 10 %they will sue them have fun

Answer 6

Are you a business? If you just do this on the side, you can only sue for the damages. If you are an actual business you may be able to put whats called a "mechanics lien" on the vehicle, it depends on the state, but if you released the car already, your option is just to take them to small claims court.

Answer 7

If you have a work order signed by the owner, you can file a lien on the vehicle. This would prevent the car from being sold until the money is paid, but you can't get ownership of the car. This is a hazzard of your situation...shops can have your car locked up until the bill is paid, but you couldn't do that.

Answer 8

You can put a mechanic's lien against them. I think it needs to go through claims court to get your money though. Did you let them take the car before paying? If you still have the car then I think your mechanic's lien is good.

Answer 9

if you are a legit mobile mechanic and have a tax# then you can either put a lean on there title or file a claim in small claims court and no you cant reposes the car you dont own it

Answer 10

No you cannot. However, you can remove the new equipment you installed the next time someone refuses to pay. Unless you messed up the repair in the first place.

Answer 11

unless you have documents showing expenses and his authorization for repair work, its his word against your in a court of law. You cannot repossess the car since the issue was'nt about theft.

second option would be street justice and corner him in an alley and ***** slap him until he hands over the payment.