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Shopping · Finland
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. Kuluttajaneuvonta (KKV) (029 505 3050) advises and takes complaints about garages; most countries have a motor-trade dispute body — Kuluttajariitalautakunta (kuluttajariita.fi) — where an expert looks at the car and decides, cheaper than any lawyer. Käräjäoikeus — summaarinen haaste (oikeus.fi) is the small-claims route if the garage is not a member.

Call firstKuluttajaneuvonta (KKV)
Report toKuluttajariitalautakunta
If that failsKäräjäoikeus — summaarinen haaste

🗣️ 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 Kuluttajariitalautakunta."

🪜 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 Kuluttajaneuvonta (KKV)Garages are licensed; repeated complaints trigger inspections.
  5. Dispute body: KuluttajariitalautakuntaAn independent expert inspects and decides; the garage usually accepts.

📇 All contacts

Kuluttajaneuvonta (KKV)Advice and mediation with the seller, freeWhen the shop refuses📞 029 505 3050🔗 www.kkv.fi/kuluttajaneuvonta
KuluttajariitalautakuntaA recommendation that companies almost always followAfter consumer advice🔗 www.kuluttajariita.fi
Käräjäoikeus — summaarinen haasteUndisputed debt claim without a lawyerIf the recommendation is ignored🔗 oikeus.fi/tuomioistuimet
Traficom — ajoneuvot ja katsastusRegistration, inspection, objectionsFor inspection appeals and vehicle data📞 029 534 5100🔗 www.traficom.fi/fi/liikenne/tieliikenne

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

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