Michigan · Auto-Repair Consumer Rights
Michigan Auto Repair Laws & How to Sue a Mechanic
If a Michigan shop overcharged you, did unauthorized work, or botched a repair, state law is on your side. Here are the statutes that protect you, your small-claims limit, and free tools to get a refund or fix — no lawyer needed.
What does Michigan law say about your repair?
See what Michigan’s auto repair laws say, side by side with what happened to you. Free.
Look up Michigan repair laws →Statutes that protect Michigan consumers
Misrepresented the quality or origin of the parts used
- Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act, MCL 257.1307 — Violation of the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act (misrepresentation of parts)
Possible remedy: Actual damages plus reasonable attorney fees and costs (MCL 257.1336); double damages for willful and flagrant violation.
- Michigan Consumer Protection Act, MCL 445.903(1)(c), (d), (e) — Violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (misrepresentation of goods)
Possible remedy: Actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, plus reasonable attorney fees (MCL 445.911(2)); no treble damages under the MCPA.
No written estimate for labor and parts before work
- Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act, MCL 257.1332 — Violation of the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act (failure to provide written estimate)
Possible remedy: Actual damages plus reasonable attorney fees and costs under MCL 257.1336; double damages plus fees and costs for a willful and flagrant violation; facility barred from collecting compensation or asserting a lien for work performed in violation of the Act under MCL 257.1331.
No authorization before proceeding with repairs or further repairs
- Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act, MCL 257.1332 — Violation of the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act (unauthorized work)
Possible remedy: Actual damages plus reasonable attorney fees and costs (MCL 257.1336); double damages for willful and flagrant violation; facility barred from collecting for work performed in violation and from asserting a lien (MCL 257.1331).
Exceeded the authorized estimate without the consumer's consent
- Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act, MCL 257.1332 — Violation of the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act (charges in excess of estimate)
Possible remedy: Recovery of unauthorized excess charges, actual damages, reasonable attorney fees and costs (MCL 257.1336); double damages for willful and flagrant violation; facility barred from collecting for work performed in violation (MCL 257.1331).
Failed to provide an invoice / documentation for services performed
- Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act, MCL 257.1332 — Violation of the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act (failure to provide invoice/records)
Possible remedy: Actual damages plus reasonable attorney fees and costs (MCL 257.1336); double damages for willful and flagrant violation.
Failed to return replaced parts though requested at the work order
- Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act, MCL 257.1332 — Violation of the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act (failure to return replaced parts)
Possible remedy: Actual damages plus reasonable attorney fees and costs (MCL 257.1336); double damages for willful and flagrant violation.
Failed to properly repair the vehicle (defective workmanship)
- Common law negligence (mutual-benefit bailment, duty of ordinary care) — Negligence / breach of the duty of reasonable care by a repair bailee
Possible remedy: Actual (compensatory) damages for the cost of correcting the defective repair and consequential damages; no statutory fee-shifting at common law.
Failed to perform the agreed-upon repairs or services
- Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act, MCL 257.1307 — Violation of the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act / breach of contract
Possible remedy: Actual damages plus reasonable attorney fees and costs (MCL 257.1336); double damages for willful and flagrant violation; facility barred from collecting for work performed in violation (MCL 257.1331); contract damages at common law.
Caused additional damage to the vehicle
- Common law negligence (mutual-benefit bailment, duty of ordinary care) — Negligence by a repair bailee
Possible remedy: Actual (compensatory) damages for the cost to repair the additional damage and consequential loss; no statutory fee-shifting at common law.
Failed to properly diagnose the problem
- Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act, MCL 257.1307 — Violation of the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act (deceptive practice) / negligence
Possible remedy: Actual damages plus reasonable attorney fees and costs (MCL 257.1336); double damages for willful and flagrant violation; compensatory damages on a negligence theory.
Made repairs that were not authorized or not needed
- Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act, MCL 257.1307 — Violation of the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act (unnecessary/unauthorized repairs)
Possible remedy: Actual damages plus reasonable attorney fees and costs (MCL 257.1336); double damages for willful and flagrant violation; facility barred from collecting for work performed in violation (MCL 257.1331).
Charged excessive fees for the services or repairs
- Michigan Consumer Protection Act, MCL 445.903(1)(z) — Violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (grossly excessive price)
Possible remedy: Actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, plus reasonable attorney fees (MCL 445.911(2)); under the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act, recovery of the excess plus fees and (if willful and flagrant) double damages (MCL 257.1336).
Falsely advertised services or prices
- Michigan Consumer Protection Act, MCL 445.903(1)(a), (i) — Violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (false/misleading advertising)
Possible remedy: Actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, plus reasonable attorney fees (MCL 445.911(2)); no treble damages under the MCPA.
Bait-and-switch tactic
- Michigan Consumer Protection Act, MCL 445.903(1)(g) — Violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (bait and switch)
Possible remedy: Actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, plus reasonable attorney fees (MCL 445.911(2)); no treble damages under the MCPA.
Refused to release the vehicle without payment when the consumer disputed the work/fees
- Garage Keeper's Lien Act, MCL 570.305 (Act 312 of 1915); Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act, MCL 257.1331 — Wrongful retention / improper garage keeper's lien
Possible remedy: Recovery/possession of the vehicle; damages for wrongful retention; under the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act, the facility is barred from asserting a lien for work performed in violation, plus damages, fees and (if willful and flagrant) double damages (MCL 257.1331, 257.1336).
Not properly licensed/registered with the state regulatory authority
- Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act, MCL 257.1306 and MCL 257.1331 — Operating an unregistered repair facility (Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act)
Possible remedy: Recovery of any amount the customer paid to the unregistered facility for the repair (MCL 257.1331); the facility is barred from collecting any unpaid balance or asserting a lien; plus damages, fees and (if willful and flagrant) double damages under MCL 257.1336.
Failed to comply with its stated warranty to repair the vehicle
- Michigan Consumer Protection Act, MCL 445.903(1)(s) and (y) — Violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (failure to honor warranty) / breach of warranty
Possible remedy: Actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, plus reasonable attorney fees under the MCPA (MCL 445.911(2)); contract/warranty damages for the cost of the warranted repair at common law.
Charged excessive storage fees while holding the vehicle
- Garage Keeper's Lien Act, MCL 570.305 (Act 312 of 1915); Michigan Consumer Protection Act, MCL 445.903(1)(z) — Improper/excessive storage charges under the Garage Keeper's Lien Act
Possible remedy: Reduction/recovery of unauthorized or unreasonable storage charges; release of the vehicle; under the MCPA, actual damages or $250 plus attorney fees for grossly excessive charges (MCL 445.911(2)).
Inspection station issued a fraudulent inspection certificate
- Michigan Consumer Protection Act, MCL 445.903(1)(c) and (s) — Violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (misrepresentation)
Possible remedy: Actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, plus reasonable attorney fees (MCL 445.911(2)); no treble damages.
Inspection station failed to properly perform the safety/emissions inspection
- Michigan Consumer Protection Act, MCL 445.903(1)(c); common law negligence — Violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act / negligence
Possible remedy: Actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, plus reasonable attorney fees under the MCPA (MCL 445.911(2)); compensatory damages on a negligence theory.
Free tools for your Michigan dispute
More Michigan guides
Michigan auto-repair FAQ
What is the small claims limit in Michigan?
In Michigan, you can generally sue in small claims court for up to $7,000 without a lawyer. Auto-repair disputes commonly fall within this limit.
Can I sue a mechanic in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan consumer-protection and auto-repair laws cover this kind of situation, including overcharges, unauthorized work, and faulty repairs. Many disputes start with a demand letter before small claims court. We track 21 Michigan statutes that may apply.
Who regulates auto repair shops in Michigan?
Michigan Department of State, Regulatory Monitoring Division oversees auto-repair consumer issues in Michigan. You can file a complaint with them in addition to (or instead of) sending a demand letter.
Do I need a lawyer to send a demand letter in Michigan?
No. A clear, statute-citing demand letter is something you can send yourself — it is often what gets a shop to refund or fix the problem before court.
This page is general information, not legal advice, and is not a substitute for a licensed attorney. Court rules, dollar limits, and filing fees vary by county — confirm yours before filing.