Who's responsible for paying for a car part that the auto shop breaks?

Question

He, the gentlemen fixing my car, says usually they are not responsible for damages and replacing the part because the car is so old. He is now charging me for something he broke. How far can this go? Should I sue him?

Answer 1

I work in a garage, sometimes parts break because of age and fatigue. At my shop, we are very fair. If we break a part, we will own up and replace it free of charge. However if the part was partially broken, stressed, or siezed in the first palce, its not always the shops fault if a part breaks. I dirve a 1989 Ranger, and I had another technician doing a break flush on it, when I was doing another job and he had nothing to do. The bleeder screw on the left rear wheel cylinder broke, I knew it wasn't his fault, and I didn't blame him in the least, its the salt they lay on the road, and the salt rusted the bleeder weakening it. It was stress and fatigue that caused it to break, no ones fault. A few days ago, we had a technician break a ring gear for a wheel speed sensor, the ring is just under $200 for the unit, and the total inital job was only costing about $300 total. The labour on the job was about $50 and the part was about $250, we made no money on the job and we actually lsot money.

There are times when a customer is charged with a borken part, because of stress or fatigue, or age. Then there at times when the shop bites the bullet and takes the cost, because of technician neglect. Its impossible to say in your case, because you failed to specify what it was that he broke and what it was that was being repaired. Sueing is not the answer. Talking over the problem, and LISTENING to thier explination is. If you are not happy after HEARING their explination, call the BBB and get some more information.

Answer 2

That's a tough one. If the person fixing an older car winds up breaking another part in the course of doing your repair due to the age of the vehicle your going to have a hard case to prove if you decide to go to court. I don't know the area of the country you are from but I can tell you that older cars up here in the northeast are hell to work on due to rust. Make him show what he was fixing, what he busted, and how it happened. Don't be afraid to fight back. They want you to agree and pay them. Worst case get him to split the difference.
I had a fuel pump replaced and when I got the truck back the body was damaged in the area they were working. I got the same line until I threatened to call the cops since there must have been a hit and run.

Answer 3

Sometimes parts break due to age and metal fatigue. It may be this saved you a larger expense, or even injury. If it broke under the stress of repairs, it could have broken while you were travelling at speed on the highway. You don't say what the part is, so it is only speculation, but I wager you needed the part. This happens not just with cars, but older furnaces and a/c, water pumps, just about anything that is subject to wear and tear.
By the way, if you stop payment on a cheque, just because you think you should not pay for the broken part (as another poster has suggested) you can be charged with fraud. Don't even think about that one.

Answer 4

It depends. If it was just something minor, and did not cost too much I would be POed, but there is really nothing you can do about it, but take your business else where next time. It could have pos. been an old part, that was ready to go and buy chance broke while your car was there (which ultimately saves you a trip back.) If it was something that was obviously there fault, I would request for them to fix it for free and maybe settle for a discount. As for suing, unless it was something that cost a fortune, a law suit will only end up costing you more in court fees. You can however place a complaint w/ the better business bureau.

Answer 5

Things break all of the time when working on autos. You didn't give any detail of what part you are referring to. Bolts rust and twist, wires fray and break from vibration. Sometimes spark plugs snap off in heads or the threads rip out, requiring head removal or replacement. Some owners blame everything on the mechanic. There are some crooked mechs out there but let me ask you. Did you take your vehicle to a shop because nothing was wrong with it? Ever heard what you have to do to make an omelette?

Answer 6

Let's see: You want them to fix the damages - reasonable. You want them to do the original work for free - not reasonable. It depends, in part, on the laws of your state, and/or any posted notices, or legal matters on the work order you signed. Since they had to keep your car awaiting parts, they MIGHT be liable for other damage even with a "disclaimer". IF you can't work out something reasonable, then you need a lawyer.

Answer 7

Depending on your cars age and brittleness it could go either way. If your car is a 1995 or later it is more than likely his fault and you need to bring it to an attorney. I had this happen to me with my 2003 Chevy Venture when he broke my lower radiator hose. He managed to somehow break it and tried charging me and I knew that those thick hoses don't just break easily. I won and he had to pay for a new hose and i got a free oil change and a top off of all other fluids!

Answer 8

Factors involved: What did he break? Was this informed to you in the beginning? What did your vehicle originally get repaired for. But, for the most part, the shop is responsible. Good Luck

Answer 9

Check out the form that you signed before he did any replacements, it'll tell you if they are responsible or if your responsible, they will have you sign something before they do anything if not then you can sue him, but if it clearly states that they are reliable for damages then you can sue him but if you didn't sign anything before he did anything then he's reliable..

Answer 10

It can go all the way to small claims court. Get legal advice and go to the court house. These jerks need to be stopped from this practice.