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Shopping · Ireland
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. CCPC — Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (01 402 5555) advises and takes complaints about garages; most countries have a motor-trade dispute body — District Court — small claims (courts.ie) — where an expert looks at the car and decides, cheaper than any lawyer. Road Safety Authority (RSA) / NCT appeals (0818 506 080) is the small-claims route if the garage is not a member.

Call firstCCPC — Competition and Consumer Protection Commission
Report toDistrict Court — small claims
If that failsRoad Safety Authority (RSA) / NCT appeals

🗣️ 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 District Court — small claims."

🪜 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 CCPC — Competition and Consumer Protection CommissionGarages are licensed; repeated complaints trigger inspections.
  5. Dispute body: District Court — small claimsAn independent expert inspects and decides; the garage usually accepts.

📇 All contacts

CCPC — Competition and Consumer Protection CommissionConsumer helpline, your rights, complaint guidanceWhen the shop refuses📞 01 402 5555🔗 www.ccpc.ie
District Court — small claimsClaims up to €2,000, €25 fee, no solicitorWhen advice did not help🔗 www.courts.ie/small-claims
Road Safety Authority (RSA) / NCT appealsVehicle registration, NCT, driving licencesInspection appeals and vehicle data📞 0818 506 080🔗 www.rsa.ie
An Garda SíochánaReport at any station or via the Garda websiteAlways — you need the PULSE reference for the bank🔗 www.garda.ie/en/crime/fraud

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