The garage overcharged or did not fix my car — who helps?
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. PTAC (65452554) advises and takes complaints about garages; most countries have a motor-trade dispute body — Patērētāju strīdu risināšanas komisija (ptac.gov.lv) — where an expert looks at the car and decides, cheaper than any lawyer. Rajona tiesa — maza apmēra prasība (tiesas.lv) is the small-claims route if the garage is not a member.
🗣️ 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 Patērētāju strīdu risināšanas komisija."
🪜 Step by step
- Get the quote in writingBefore any work, next time. This time: what was agreed by phone, message, or the job sheet you signed.
- 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.
- Second opinionAnother garage's written finding on the "repair" is the best evidence.
- Complain to PTACGarages are licensed; repeated complaints trigger inspections.
- Dispute body: Patērētāju strīdu risināšanas komisijaAn independent expert inspects and decides; the garage usually accepts.
📇 All contacts
❓ 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
- PTAC →
- Patērētāju strīdu risināšanas komisija →
- Rajona tiesa — maza apmēra prasība →
- CSDD — Ceļu satiksmes drošības direkcija →
🔎 Common searches
Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.
- “garage overcharged complaint Latvia”
- “car repair not fixed rights”
- “motor trade dispute body Latvia”
- “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.
⚠️ Readers report that something here may have changed — we are checking it.
✅ Thank you — this keeps the page up to date for everyone.