Should you pay for repairs that you didn't ask a mechanic to do?

Answer 1

absolutely not...that's not what it's there for. If they didn't contact you and get your approval then that's a freebee...they can not do any repairs not authorized by you.

I'll give you a for instance...you have a brake job done...and they replace the headlight also...the head light is not what's it is there for...if they didn't ask you to do it then that's on them ...plane and simple and period..

Answer 2

I'd be willing to bet when you brought in the car you signed a paper allowing the mechanic to do what he thought needed doing. If you did not, you can force him to take off the new parts and put back on the old ones at no cost and get a refund for parts and labor. However, generally the law is on the mechanic's side and he can attach a mechanic's lien against your car a lot easier than you can force him through the courts to pay you back. A mechanic's lien means he can legally keep your car until you pay. My advice, pay up and find a new mechanic and next time ask that the mechanic phone you before he does anything so you can authorize repairs. At the same time the paper should say the price he quotes over the phone is the price you will pay and can't be changed. If the mechanic doesn't have a form of that nature, then don't even bother with him. An honest mechanic will have a legal form that obligates him to call you to authorize repairs and stick to the price what he quotes over the phone. Not many people are aware of it when they start driving, but when you sign one of those forms, you think it's just procedure, but it's actually a legally binding contract. If it's any consolation, we all have done that, including myself. Another way of doing it is look at the mechanics hourly rate and pay for an hour to see what's wrong and ask for a list of parts needed and an estimate for parts and labor. Then drive the car to another mechanic and do the same thing. In essence you are paying about 180 bucks to see if your care really needs a $2000 repair. Even still, if you pay 2000, it's still cheaper than buying a new one. Car repairs are confusing, expensive, evil and the source of all of mankind's misery. There are various car forums on the net. You can also try those. Or you can constantly read the auto repair section in your local newspaper. Over time you will know as much as the mechanic does. Another rule of thumb is if the mechanic says it might need replacing, don't get it replaced, only have fixed what breaks. That's what the AAA is for. Nine times out of ten the whatever will be just fine.

Answer 3

If the repairs were necessary for the safe operation of the vehicle, then yes. Often, mechanics will find something amiss once they get into the guts of the job. Most will call and let you know and get your okay before performing the work. However, if you question that the work was done or that the work was necessary, then you can go to arbitration.

Answer 4

i own a repair shop,,and if i have to replace a bad part because of it making another part go bad i replace it,,and usually i have no problems with collecting the bill,,i guess it would all depend on the size of the repair ,and the extra added cost,and then id take in to consideration whether or not it had to be done to complete the job,,good luck i hope this help,s.

Answer 5

Absolutely not!

I work at a Chevrolet dealership and one of the biggest "no no's" is replacing parts or doing any type of repair work that the customer has not agreed to.
Furthermore, if it's a serious repair or recall... it's the mechanic's job to make you aware of it.

I would definitely call them on that one.

Answer 6

No, you should not have to pay. Any mechanic that I have ever dealt with, called the customer before doing the work.

Answer 7

No If he didn't ask if you wanted the repairs done then it is done out of the goodness of his heart.

Answer 8

I agree with dodge man. his info is always spot on. But if you disagree with the bill you can always question it, did you sign for the repairs. If they were safety issues or directly related to the requested repair though, you should probably just pay, most people aren't rip off artists. Just honest working men

Answer 9

To solve the problem, sometimes it is necessary to make other repairs. Do you want it fixed properly or not?

Answer 10

Use common sense. It the job cost is reasonable and necessary, yes pay for it but if not NO, don't pay. Make the garage sue you if they insist on being paid. They'll lose.