Whenever possible, your instruction to the garage should be in writing
AA Legal assistance is available to Gold and Silver members. If you are looking for personal legal advice on any matter relating to vehicle use, motoring offences, accidents or disputes with suppliers/garages and don't have access to AA Legal assistance we recommend contacting your local Citizen's Advice Bureau or other legal adviser in the first instance.
These are some of the general points and most common issues that arise when dealing with garages. A basic understanding of the law can help you avoid a dispute in the first place or help you decide if you need more formal and personal legal advice.
There are two sides to every relationship and there are things that you can do to reduce the risk of something going wrong if you're dealing with a garage for car repairs or servicing such as trying to pick a quiet time if you need to discuss something, or being as specific as you can about what it is you want them to do.
Whenever you instruct a garage to carry out repairs or other work, you enter into a contract with that garage.
Some of these contracts will be in writing but many are not. Generally it's best to put your instruction in writing if you can, as it will be easier to see what was agreed should there be any dispute later.
Whether written or oral, any contract contains both express and implied terms.
The express terms of the contract are created when you instruct a garage to carry out a certain repair, and can be:
In addition to any express terms agreed, implied terms are that:
Choosing a garage that has signed up to the Motor Industry Code of Practice for service and repair should ensure that you get
Motor Codes provides a free consumer advice and conciliation service along with access to independent arbitration if things do go wrong.
(14 January 2013)
