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Shopping · France
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. SignalConso — DGCCRF (0809 540 550) advises and takes complaints about garages; most countries have a motor-trade dispute body — Médiateur de la consommation (economie.gouv.fr) — where an expert looks at the car and decides, cheaper than any lawyer. Tribunal judiciaire — juge des contentieux de la protection (justice.fr) is the small-claims route if the garage is not a member.

Call firstSignalConso — DGCCRF
Report toMédiateur de la consommation
If that failsTribunal judiciaire — juge des contentieux de la protection

🗣️ 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 Médiateur de la consommation."

🪜 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 SignalConso — DGCCRFGarages are licensed; repeated complaints trigger inspections.
  5. Dispute body: Médiateur de la consommationAn independent expert inspects and decides; the garage usually accepts.

📇 All contacts

SignalConso — DGCCRFReport to the seller and the consumer-protection authorityWhen the seller refuses📞 0809 540 550🔗 signal.conso.gouv.fr
Médiateur de la consommationFree mediation, mandatory for every traderAfter a written complaint without a solution🔗 www.economie.gouv.fr/mediation-conso
Tribunal judiciaire — juge des contentieux de la protectionSimplified claim without a lawyerIf conciliation fails🔗 www.justice.fr
ANTS / DREAL — contrôle techniqueRegistration, licences, inspection disputesInspection appeals and vehicle data📞 34 00🔗 ants.gouv.fr

❓ 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 France”
  • “car repair not fixed rights”
  • “motor trade dispute body France”
  • “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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