How long is too long for a car to be in the shop?

On average, a dealer can hold your car for up to thirty days. Beyond this, some problems may arise. Be sure to make that clear in advance with a dealer before delivering your car. The answer to this question depends on the severity of the repairs.

If the repairs are minor, such as an oil change or a tune-up, the mechanic should be able to have your car ready in a few hours. However, if repairs are more extensive, such as rebuilding the transmission or repairing the engine, it could take a few days to a week to complete. Motor vehicle repairs, maintenance and rates Always ask for a cost estimate or a quote to fix the problem and send it in writing so there are no surprises in the end. Make sure you include the cost of parts and labor.

The repairman should be able to explain any minor increase in cost. Ask how long the repairs will take and when your car will be ready for pickup. If someone else is going to take your car to the repair shop for you, make sure they fully understand and can explain the problem to the shop. After writing down some good mechanics, you may need to physically drive your car to the body shop and talk to the mechanic.

A claim against consumer warranties can also be filed if the shop did not exercise due care and skill in repairs or tests. So, you don't want to be found breaching a contract, which means you don't want to own a car that can't pay the bill. It's important to have things in writing when it comes to car repairs and how long your car will be in a body shop. Of course, this is the time when your car is in the repair shop, depending on the type of repair you receive.

For example, if you left your car in the repair shop to be repaired and didn't pay for the repairs, the mechanic may be able to hold your car until you legally pay for the repairs. If a shop spends time providing a detailed diagnosis but you decide not to perform the repair, the shop is entitled to charge a fee for the diagnosis. And if the repairs are extensive, you may even have to leave your car at the mechanic for a few days. If the shop doesn't repair the car within a “reasonable period”, you may be given a discount on repair costs.

Whether new or second-hand, your car or motorcycle should have come with a logbook or owner's manual that indicates when the vehicle should be repaired and what maintenance should be done. So how long can a mechanic keep your car? A mechanic can keep your car as long as necessary to fix the problem. Nobody wants to be left without their car for an extended period, but sometimes repairs take longer than expected.