← FFCheckWho do I contact?EN
Shopping · the UK
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. Citizens Advice consumer helpline (0808 223 1133) advises and takes complaints about garages; most countries have a motor-trade dispute body — Small claims — money claim online (gov.uk) — where an expert looks at the car and decides, cheaper than any lawyer. County Court — money claim online (gov.uk) is the small-claims route if the garage is not a member.

Call firstCitizens Advice consumer helpline
Report toSmall claims — money claim online
If that failsCounty Court — money claim online

🗣️ 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 Small claims — money claim online."

🪜 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 Citizens Advice consumer helplineGarages are licensed; repeated complaints trigger inspections.
  5. Dispute body: Small claims — money claim onlineAn independent expert inspects and decides; the garage usually accepts.

📇 All contacts

Citizens Advice consumer helplineConsumer rights, complaint letters, referral to Trading StandardsWhen the shop refuses📞 0808 223 1133🔗 www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer
Small claims — money claim onlineClaims up to £10,000 without a solicitor (£5,000 Scotland)When advice did not help🔗 www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money
County Court — money claim onlineClaims without a solicitor; up to 3× the deposit if it was unprotectedWhen the scheme cannot help🔗 www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money
DVSA / DVLA — MOT appeals, registrationMOT appeals, vehicle registration, licencesInspection appeals and vehicle data📞 0300 123 9000🔗 www.gov.uk/mot-appeal

❓ 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 the UK”
  • “car repair not fixed rights”
  • “motor trade dispute body the UK”
  • “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→

Your tools for the UK

Before it goes wrongCan I?What is allowed, what is not, which permit you need — with the official source.Energy · the UKElectricity & gasThe rules that protect you as an electricity and gas customer in the UK, and who to contact. Every fact is checked on an official source.Recognise it firstIs dit veilig?Check a phone number, website or message against 47,000 scam dossiers.