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Shopping · Belgium
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. FOD Economie — Meldpunt (0800 120 33) advises and takes complaints about garages; most countries have a motor-trade dispute body — Consumentenombudsdienst (02 702 52 00) — where an expert looks at the car and decides, cheaper than any lawyer. Juridische tweedelijnsbijstand (pro deo) (advocaat.be) is the small-claims route if the garage is not a member.

Call firstFOD Economie — Meldpunt
Report toConsumentenombudsdienst
If that failsJuridische tweedelijnsbijstand (pro deo)

🗣️ 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 Consumentenombudsdienst."

🪜 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 FOD Economie — MeldpuntGarages are licensed; repeated complaints trigger inspections.
  5. Dispute body: ConsumentenombudsdienstAn independent expert inspects and decides; the garage usually accepts.

📇 All contacts

FOD Economie — MeldpuntReporting, advice on your rights, contact centreWhen the seller refuses📞 0800 120 33🔗 meldpunt.belgie.be
ConsumentenombudsdienstOut-of-court dispute resolution, freeAfter a written complaint without a solution📞 02 702 52 00🔗 consumentenombudsdienst.be
Juridische tweedelijnsbijstand (pro deo)Free or low-cost lawyer depending on incomeIf it has to go to court after all🔗 www.advocaat.be/juridische-bijstand
DIV (inschrijving) / GOCA (keuring)Registration, inspection, disputesInspection appeals and vehicle data🔗 www.goca.be

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