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Shopping · Croatia
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. Državni inspektorat — tržišna inspekcija (01 2375 100) advises and takes complaints about garages; most countries have a motor-trade dispute body — Centar za mirenje HGK / Sud časti HGK (hgk.hr) — where an expert looks at the car and decides, cheaper than any lawyer. Javni bilježnik — platni nalog / općinski sud (sudovi.hr) is the small-claims route if the garage is not a member.

Call firstDržavni inspektorat — tržišna inspekcija
Report toCentar za mirenje HGK / Sud časti HGK
If that failsJavni bilježnik — platni nalog / općinski sud

🗣️ 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 Centar za mirenje HGK / Sud časti HGK."

🪜 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 Državni inspektorat — tržišna inspekcijaGarages are licensed; repeated complaints trigger inspections.
  5. Dispute body: Centar za mirenje HGK / Sud časti HGKAn independent expert inspects and decides; the garage usually accepts.

📇 All contacts

Državni inspektorat — tržišna inspekcijaReports, inspections, fines for tradersWhen the shop refuses📞 01 2375 100🔗 dirh.gov.hr/podnosenje-prijava/83
Centar za mirenje HGK / Sud časti HGKADR; the trader usually settlesAfter a written complaint without a solution🔗 www.hgk.hr/centar-za-mirenje
Javni bilježnik — platni nalog / općinski sudEnforcement on an authentic document or a lawsuitLast step, with a clear claim🔗 sudovi.hr
Centar za vozila Hrvatske (CVH) / MUP — registracijaInspection, registration, complaintsFor inspection appeals and vehicle data📞 01 4883 660🔗 www.cvh.hr

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