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Auto shops must hold an automotive repair dealer license issued by BAR to perform vehicle repair and maintenance services for compensation in California. When seeking repairs and services, try our Auto Shop Locator to find a licensed shop in your area and be sure to verify the license.
- A Consumer's Guide to Auto Repair
California Department of Consumer Affairs Bureau of...
- Bureau of Automotive Repair
The Bureau of Automotive Repair serves Californians through...
- A Consumer's Guide to Auto Repair
AAA Approved Auto Repair includes a powerful repair shop locator tool offering detailed information about the more than 7,000 facilities in the AAA Approved Auto Repair network. Search and find a nearby facility. Use the repair estimate tool to know more about repair costs.
Best Auto Repair in Southern California, CA - B And D Auto Repair, Freedom Auto Repair, Patrick's Auto Center, Mike's Auto Repair & Body Center, Hye-Tech Auto Repair, AM Auto Repair, Auto Technik Carcare, Service On Site Automotive, Whittier Auto Garage, Downey Car Care Center.
The Bureau of Automotive Repair serves Californians through effective regulation of the automotive repair and Smog Check industry.
- AUTO REPAIR
- Here’s what the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) recommends:
- BAR licenses and registrations
- Professionalism
- Shop appearance
- Personnel
- Guarantees
- Shop specialty
- MEETING WITH THE SERVICE WRITER
- WHAT TO LOOK FOR
- Problems handling or braking
- Changes in performance
- DIAGNOSIS, THEN REPAIR
- On the invoice
- WHEN THE REPAIRS COST MORE THAN THE ESTIMATE
- TEARDOWN ESTIMATE
- teardown estimate must include the following:
- THE INVOICE
- RETURN OF OLD PARTS
- GUARANTEES
- DROPPING OFF YOUR CAR WHEN THE SHOP IS CLOSED
- IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM
- Here’s what BAR will do when you file a complaint:
If you’re like most Californians, you depend on your vehicle. When it needs service or repair, you want the work done quickly, correctly, and at a reasonable cost. By following the tips in this booklet, you can keep your vehicle in good condition and ensure a good working relationship with your auto repair shop. The information in this guide will a...
Read and follow your owner’s manual. Select a repair shop before you need one, but be sure it is registered with BAR. Know your rights as a consumer. Keep this guide in your car and refer to it before taking your car in for service. Your owner’s manual explains what your car’s warning indicators mean and what to do if they come on. Paying attention...
Auto repair Smog Check, if applicable Lamp and brake inspections, if applicable
Membership in an automotive trade organization Technician certifications
Neat, well-organized service floors. Modern equipment. Clearly posted and easily explained policies on labor charges, guarantees, and accepted methods of payment.
Courteous, helpful staff. A service manager willing and able to answer your questions and resolve disputes. Qualified technicians with professional certifications such as Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) or other advanced training.
• the service writer if the shop guarantees its work. If so, ask for a copy of the guarantee.
• if the shop’s technicians regularly work on the make and model of your car or truck, and are comfortable doing the repair you need—especially if your vehicle needs major work.
Here are steps you should take to make sure you are describing the problem fully. Remember, you know your vehicle better than anyone. When something is wrong, try to pinpoint the symptoms before taking the car in for service.
Unusual sounds, odors, leaks, warning lights, or smoke Where in the vehicle is the sound coming from? When does it happen? When the engine is running? When the engine is cold? When you’re accelerating? Braking? Turning? Going above or at a certain speed?
Do you feel vibrations in the steering column or the brake pedal? Does the steering pull to the right or to the left? Are your tires wearing unevenly?
Has your engine performance decreased? Is your fuel economy falling? Do you regularly have to add coolant or oil? Are belts or hoses wearing out faster than they should? When you explain the problem to the technician or service representative, be as detailed as possible. Don’t rush or let yourself be intimidated. Although the technician or service ...
After the technician finishes the diagnosis, the shop will call you to describe the repair work that is needed and to give you the estimated cost of the labor and parts. The shop representative will ask for your permission to do the work as described. You do not have to give your authorization over the phone, but if you do, the shop must make the f...
The name and telephone number of the person who gave the approval, and the date and time it was given. After the repairs are completed, you may be asked to sign or initial the following statement on the final invoice: “I acknowledge notice and oral approval of an increase in the original estimated price.” Instead of verbal authorization, the shop m...
If the technician later determines that it will take additional work and will cost more to fix your car than the original estimate, someone from the shop must contact you, describe the additional work and cost, and get your permission to proceed. You may designate someone to authorize additional parts or labor for you. The approval must be noted on...
For some complex problems, such as a transmission failure or an auto body repair, the shop may have to take your vehicle apart to give you an accurate estimate. This is called a “teardown.” Be aware that there may be a charge for a teardown, even if you don’t have the vehicle repaired.
Notice that the vehicle may not be able to be reassembled. The cost, which includes reassembling the vehicle, and replacing gaskets, seals, and other parts destroyed in the teardown. How long it will take the shop to reassemble the vehicle. After the teardown, the technician must write a revised estimate for the repair that shows: The estimated cos...
When the repair job is finished, the shop will give you an invoice, which must include the following: The shop’s name, address, and auto repair dealer registration (ARD) number. All work performed, including any work done under warranty at no charge. An itemized list of all parts replaced, indicating any parts that are used, reconditioned, or rebui...
When you sign the written estimate or work order, you can ask the shop to return to you any parts that were replaced. The shop is required by law to return the parts to you only if you ask for them before the work is done. If the shop installs a rebuilt part, the old part is usually returned to the supplier as partial payment for the rebuilt part. ...
repair shop is not required by law to guarantee its work, but many shops do. guarantee must include: The name and address of the business making the guarantee. What the guarantee will do (repair or replace the failed part, refund your money, etc.). What you must do to use the guarantee (return the car to the same shop, pay a service charge, etc.). ...
If you need to drop off your car when the shop is closed, try to call ahead, so that the service manager knows the car is coming. Make arrangements to leave the car keys in a safe place. Leave a note with your telephone number, describing the repair or service you need. The repair shop must contact you with an estimate and get your permission befor...
If you are dissatisfied with the repair work, ask to speak to the service manager. It is often easiest and quickest to resolve the matter directly with the repair shop. Keep these tips in mind: Know your rights, as defined by the Automotive Repair Act. Remain courteous and calm. Explain the problem accurately, and explain what you think would be a ...
Assign a case number to your complaint and notify you within 10 days that BAR received it. Give you the name of the BAR representative who will review your complaint and contact you. BAR supervisor will review your complaint to decide if the shop may have violated the Automotive Repair Act or other law. The BAR representative will try to resolve th...
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People also ask
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