What Car? Q&A - Can my body repair shop keep my car?

I'm unhappy with the body repair work my local garage has done and I have refused to pay for the work. Now they won't give me my car back - can they do that?
George Campbell

A: Yes, they can. Until you've paid for the work that's been agreed, they can keep your car. If you try to remove it, you could be prosecuted.

Did you try to give them a chance to put the work right? Were you and the workshop both clear about what could be achieved in repairing the damage?

If you're adamant that the work isn't worth the money being demanded, and you need your car back, pay the bill but mark the invoice as 'paid under protest'. That way, if and when you decide to make a claim for your money back, it will be clear that you weren't happy with the work. Otherwise, paying a bill can imply that you've accepted what they've done.

The Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association (VBRA) is one of the few trade bodies to have received full blessing for their code of conduct from the Office of Fair Trading. If the workshop where you had the work done is a member, try contacting the VBRA for advice on 0113 253 8333.