Most auto repair financing is offered as a payment plan in partnership with lending institutions
. The plans may be offered as credit cards that can be used for expenses related to your vehicle. Some lenders work directly with the repair shop to pay the bill.
How long can a mechanic legally keep your car to fix?
How long can a mechanic keep my car?
There is no legal limit
to how long a mechanic can keep your car. If you are unsatisfied with your service, you can always take your business elsewhere and try to find another mechanic.
What happens if you can't afford to pay your mechanic?
If a mechanic has serviced your car and you haven't paid the bill,
they may be able to establish a lien on your vehicle, which usually gives them legal claim over the car until you pay back what you owe in full
. This is called a mechanic's lien or a garageman's lien.
What to do with a car that needs more repairs than it's worth?
Compare the repair costs to the price of the vehicle. If the repair costs outweigh the price, then your car isn't worth fixing. Once that determination has been made, you can
sell your junker vehicle to a private buyer, dealership, online car buyer, junkyard, or part out the car on your own
.
Can you negotiate car repair costs?
Most people simply don't realize
they can negotiate auto repair work
. And while some itemized charges may stand firm (like some parts prices), others have significant wiggle-room (shop mark-ups are often as much as 200% to cover operations).
Do mechanics make good money?
How Much Does an Auto Mechanic Make?
Auto Mechanics made a median salary of $44,050 in 2020
. The best-paid 25 percent made $58,330 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $32,570.
What happens if my car can't be fixed?
If your car can't be repaired or the cost of repairing it is more than its value then
it will be deemed a Total Loss
. When this happens, you will be compensated based on the value of your car, allowing you to get back on the road as quickly as possible!
Can a garage hold your car?
Can a garage keep your car?
A garage that has repaired your car has what is known as a ‘lien'. This is the right to keep the car until they've been paid for all work done
. If you take your car away without authorisation you risk both civil proceedings and criminal prosecution.
What takes the longest to fix on a car?
Replacing an Engine
People who have experienced the agony of replacing an engine, whether it's your average Joe or a certified auto technician, will say this is the greatest challenge in any car.
How does Florida Lemon Law work?
Under Florida Lemon Law,
vehicles are eligible if they suffer from defects that haven't been repaired “within a reasonable number of attempts” by the car dealership
. After these attempts, consumers must send a final opportunity for the manufacturer to repair the defect if they wish to take action under the Lemon Law.
How do you know if your mechanic is ripping you off?
- Telling you your brake rotors need to be replaced, when they don't. …
- Changing the spark plugs on a 50,000 mile car. …
- Emotionally blackmailing you into a repair. …
- Recommending miracle cure additives. …
- Sucking you in the door with free tire rotation or winter inspection.
How long do cars last on average?
What's the Average Life of a Car? In the past, the average lifespan of a car was significantly lower than it is today. Now, you can expect a standard car to last around
12 years or about 200,000 miles
. More advanced vehicles like electric cars can go even longer, up to 300,000 miles.
Do I have to have my car serviced at a main dealer?
It's important to mention that
you don't have to use a main dealership to service your car
. But doing so ensures the correct parts are used and the right jobs are carried out at the right time.
What should you not say to a mechanic?
- ‘Just do what it needs. ‘ This can leave a vehicle owner open for a very expensive repair. …
- ‘I don't know anything about cars. ‘ While many people may feel this way, I never believe it.
How do I ask my mechanic for a discount?
Politely tell the auto technician about your findings and explain why you think their estimate is too high
. If they don't lower the price, let them know you'll be shopping around with other mechanics. Still no? Have one of the women in your life ask for a discount.
Why do people not trust mechanics?
The reasons that U.S. drivers lack confidence in auto repair shops include recommendations of unnecessary services (76 percent), overcharging for services (73 percent), negative past experiences (63 percent) and concerns that the work will not be done correctly (49 percent).
How can a mechanic get rich?
One of the best ways for an auto mechanic to make extra money is to do
work on the side
. There are many people who hate to take their car into the dealership for service. But if they know that you will do the work for them outside of the dealership they will be more than happy to pay you for it.
Why do mechanics get paid so little?
Offering a discount on labor costs simply shortens how much time a mechanic has to fix something that's supposed to take longer. “Because they don't bill as many hours, if they pay the guys that's fixing it the full time, they lose money, so they pay the person who's doing the work less money,” he explained.
Who is the highest paid mechanic?
Aircraft Mechanic
salary
The highest paid mechanic specialty is the repair of aircraft. On average, aircraft mechanics earned $64,090 per year in 2019, according to the BLS.
What costs more car repairs?
Edmunds offers a simple rule to follow: “If the cost of repairs is greater than either the value of the vehicle or one year's worth of monthly payments,
it's time for another vehicle
.” Remember, though, that repairing an old car is almost always cheaper than buying a new one.
How much does it cost to get a car rewired?
If the vehicle does need to be rewired, it can run from
$1,200 to $1,500
depending on the vehicle, the amount of wiring and the time to do it. Older cars, especially those with less complex wiring, are easier to get to and cheaper to wire.
Why is it called Lemon Law?
The kinds of goods lemon laws cover and how far consumers are protected depends on the jurisdiction of the law, but the term “lemon law”
originally referred to defective automobiles that were called lemons
. Lemon laws are generally used to legally hold manufacturers to reasonable implementation of their warranties.
Is it illegal to not service your car?
FALSE: “Servicing your vehicle is a legal requirement”
While regular servicing is highly recommended to keep your vehicle in good shape, unlike an MOT check,
an annual service is not a legal requirement
, nor is it a pre-requisite to insuring your vehicle.
Can I return a faulty car on finance?
The Act states the car must be “of a satisfactory quality”, “fit for purpose” and “as described”. (For a used car, “satisfactory quality” takes into account the car's age and mileage.)
You have a right to reject something faulty and you're entitled to a full refund within 30 days of purchase in most cases
.
Can a garage stop you driving away?
“
Garages are unable to prevent motorists from taking their car away
,” he said.
