i took my car to a mechanic for him to find out what was wrong with. he went and fixed my car.?

Question

i took my car to a mechanic for him to find out what was wrong with. he went and fixed my car.?
i did not give him permission to fix it but he did it anyway. i then called my uncle who is a mechanic and lives in a different state. i explained what was wrong with my car and what the mechanic had said needed fixed. my uncle said something totally opposite and also cost alot less. is this guy trying to get money out of me. would it be a crime if i just take my car and not pay him since i didnt agree to nothing and signed nothing?

Answer 1

it would help to know what he did
sometimes your paying him an hourly rate to diagnose your vehicle if the problem was quick and simple he probably just go ahead and fix it then charge you the time for diagnosis
this is normally one or two hours at about 50-70$ an hour unless otherwise discussed
if he ordered parts and installed them before discussing it with you thats wrong
but fixing a short or vacuume leak thats just diagnosis time which he acually spent on your car trying to find that 2 minute fix

Answer 2

Did your uncle, in some other state, see your car? If not, how can he say what is wrong or what it will cost to fix it?

Apparently you weren't clear when you dropped your car off that you only wanted an estimate, and there was to be no work without your approval. Believe me, no mechanic wants to do something he wasn't told to do.

At any rate, the work is now done, your car is fixed, and the mechanic deserves to be paid. You will not be allowed to take your car without paying for the work done.

You can express your displeasure with him if you want, but the bottom line is, if you want your car, you will have to pay. Make sure you get a receipt, and once you have it back you can consider making a complaint with whoever licenses repair shops in your state, or contact the Better Business Bureau, or even take him to small claims court for a refund.

Next time make sure you understand what you are asking for if you drop off a car again.

Answer 3

This looks like a case for the Attorney General's Office of your state. You are partially at fault for leaving the car with the mechanic without you being there for an explanation of what might be wrong. In CT you can ask for a written estimate as to problem and cost of repair. So maybe you and your uncle should visit this mechanic and have a discussion; if he replaced parts to give you the old ones, and why he performed the services he did. Several exposes have been done on auto mechanics. Unfortunately, too many are not honest individuals. Perhaps you got one of these.

Answer 4

42 years I spent in the the automotive service field and my employees were always told, if request work papers were written on the car, the customer was to be informed of the minium charge before inspection or work was done. If the repair was to run more, be sure your customer knew the estimated cost of repairs or you, the service adviser paid the difference. On completion of the inspection or repairs, the customer was notified of the total cost before picking up their vehicles. When the customers came in and were presented with the bill, there was no dollar shock. True, there was many a time we didn't make a charge for an inspection (old time steady customer), but at least you knew up front there was a cost involved.

Answer 5

Your uncle cannot accurately diagnose a problem over the phone.

Is your car fixed?

If so, pay the guy.

If not, hire a lawyer, file a lawsuit, have the mechanic place a mechanic's lien on your car, pay the extended price for storage on the mechanic's property of place of business.

Work it out with him. Talk to him and iron out the miscommunication.

Answer 6

Sorry about this, but there is no way your uncle could know exactly what is wrong with the car without physically looking at it, even with the best decription. Anyways your question doesn't make sense "I took my car to a mechanic for him (who is him) to find out what was wrong with it. He went and fixed my car?" I thought you took the car. You didn't sign anything, so you can't do much. Basically there is no paper work saying he fixed anything. Sorry, but you either got screwed or he did it for free. Was this a big name mechanic? Or some hillbilly.

Answer 7

Most states make the mechanic have you sign a form authorizing repairs. If your state does that and he did not get you to sign it, then he cannot collect for the repairs. Check with a local attorney to find out your rights.

Answer 8

You would need to sign a repair authorization for him to be able to work on it. Did you sign anything when you took it there? Without actually seeing the vehicle, I doubt your uncle could really analyze it. I am not doubting his mechanical ability...it is just not something that can be done long distance.

Answer 9

Look into it with your state laws before taking your car.Im sure you will be protected.I am a mechanic in Quebec Canada and must get signed authorization before carrying out any repair.But like i said check with the laws before just taking your car.

Answer 10

You should have been quoted a charge to look at the car. You DID agree to have him find out what the problem was and owe him for that service. If you did not agree to repairs, you are probably not legally required to pay for repairs.