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Shopping · Italy
Updated September 2026

🔩 The garage overcharged or did not fix my car — who helps?

Direct answer

A repair is a service with a quote you must be able to rely on: work beyond the quote needs your consent, and a repair that did not solve the problem must be redone at no cost. Complain in writing to the garage first. Altroconsumo (altroconsumo.it) advises and takes complaints about garages; most countries have a motor-trade dispute body — Conciliazione paritetica / Giudice di pace (mise.gov.it) — where an expert looks at the car and decides, cheaper than any lawyer. Giudice di pace (giustizia.it) is the small-claims route if the garage is not a member.

Call firstAltroconsumo
Report toConciliazione paritetica / Giudice di pace
If that failsGiudice di pace

🗣️ What to say

"Invoice [number] for [repair] on [date]. [The amount exceeds the quote by [x] without my consent / the fault is not fixed]. I ask you to [correct the invoice / redo the repair] within 14 days. Otherwise I refer the case to Conciliazione paritetica / Giudice di pace."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Get the quote in writingBefore any work, next time. This time: what was agreed by phone, message, or the job sheet you signed.
  2. Do not pay the disputed partPay what was quoted; dispute the rest in writing. A garage may hold the car for the undisputed bill only.
  3. Second opinionAnother garage's written finding on the "repair" is the best evidence.
  4. Complain to AltroconsumoGarages are licensed; repeated complaints trigger inspections.
  5. Dispute body: Conciliazione paritetica / Giudice di paceAn independent expert inspects and decides; the garage usually accepts.

📇 All contacts

AltroconsumoAdvice, complaint letters, conciliationWhen the seller refuses🔗 www.altroconsumo.it
Conciliazione paritetica / Giudice di paceOut-of-court resolution, then the courtAfter a written complaint without a solution🔗 www.mise.gov.it/it/mercato-e-consumatori/tutela-del-consumatore
Giudice di paceClaims up to €10,000, no lawyer needed up to €1,100Last step, with the contract and inspection reports🔗 www.giustizia.it
Motorizzazione civile (UMC) / ACI PRAInspection, registration, appealsInspection appeals and vehicle data🔗 www.ilportaledellautomobilista.it

❓ Frequently asked

The garage keeps my car until I pay

They may hold it for the agreed, undisputed amount. Pay that under written protest and dispute the rest.

They replaced parts I did not ask for

Not payable without consent unless the repair was impossible otherwise and they could not reach you. Ask for the old parts.

A used car broke down a week after purchase

That is the two-year legal guarantee: the dealer must repair. Different page (faulty goods), same bodies.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “garage overcharged complaint Italy”
  • “car repair not fixed rights”
  • “motor trade dispute body Italy”
  • “garage holding car until payment”
  • “repair beyond quote consent”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

📦Faulty goods, no refund→🔧Vehicle inspection→🚚Parcel not delivered→📶Phone or internet contract→

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