Contract Basics
Your contract with the garage
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, most will not. Whenever possible, your instruction should appear in writing, as it will be easier to see what was agreed should there be any dispute. Whether written or oral, each contract contains both express and implied terms.
Express terms
The express terms of the contract are created when you instruct a garage to carry out a certain repair, and can be:
- specific and confined to a particular fault (eg 'Fit new X brand fuel pump'), or
- general (eg 'The engine's not running well, the brakes are hopeless and there are dreadful noises coming from the suspension; fix them for me')
Implied terms
In addition to any express terms agreed, implied terms state that:
- parts must correspond with any description given
- parts must be of satisfactory quality and reasonably fit for any particular purpose that has been specified
- the repairer will carry out his work with reasonable care and skill and within a reasonable time