How Long Can a Car Repair Shop Keep Your Car? Understanding Your Rights

Dealing with car repairs can be a frustrating experience. Not only are you inconvenienced by being without your vehicle, but you also rely on the repair shop to complete the work efficiently and within a reasonable timeframe. It’s a common concern for car owners: how long is too long to wait for your car to be fixed? Understanding your rights and what constitutes a reasonable repair period is crucial, especially when dealing with dealerships or mechanics, particularly under warranty.

This article dives into the question of how long a car repair shop can legally keep your car, exploring factors that influence repair times and your rights as a consumer.

The Legal Timeframe for Car Repairs: What’s “Reasonable”?

While there isn’t a federal law dictating the exact number of days a repair shop can keep your car, a generally accepted timeframe for car repairs under warranty is approximately 30 cumulative days. This benchmark suggests that a dealership should, within this period, diagnose and resolve your vehicle’s issues.

It’s important to note that these 30 days do not need to be consecutive. They can accumulate over multiple visits to the mechanic for the same problem. After this cumulative period, depending on your state’s laws, you might be entitled to compensation or further action under lemon laws.

Several factors can legitimately influence how long a car repair takes. These include:

Severity of the Damage: Complex repairs, such as engine or transmission overhauls, naturally take longer than minor fixes like replacing a headlight.
Availability of Spare Parts: If your car requires specific or rare parts, the repair time can be extended if these parts are not readily available and need to be ordered.
Repair Shop’s Workload: A busy repair shop with a long queue of vehicles will understandably take longer to get to your car compared to a less busy shop.

Consumer protection laws often stipulate that repairs should be completed within a “reasonable” time. Defining “reasonable” is context-dependent; a minor repair might be expected within a few days, whereas a major overhaul could reasonably take longer.

Lemon Laws and Car Repair Time Limits

To further protect consumers from vehicles that are persistently problematic, every state in the US has implemented Lemon Laws. These laws are designed to provide remedies for buyers of new vehicles (and in some states, used vehicles) that have significant defects that cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts.

A “lemon” is a vehicle that has substantial defects that impair its use, value, or safety. Lemon laws require manufacturers or dealerships to address these issues within a reasonable timeframe. This timeframe is often defined by both the number of repair attempts and the total time the vehicle is out of service for repairs.

The specifics of Lemon Laws vary significantly from state to state. Some states’ laws apply only to new cars under warranty, while others extend to certain used cars. Understanding your state’s specific Lemon Law is crucial to know your rights and recourse if your car spends an extended period in the repair shop.

State-Specific Lemon Law Timeframes

Here’s a look at how Lemon Laws in several states address the question of repair time limits:

How Long Can a Dealership Hold Your Car for Repair in California?

California’s Lemon Law is particularly consumer-friendly. It stipulates that a dealership can hold your car for a maximum of 30 cumulative days for repairs related to warranty defects. Additionally, dealerships are allowed a “reasonable number of repair attempts” to fix the issue.

Under California law, you may be entitled to a replacement vehicle or a buyback if your car meets any of the following conditions:

The vehicle has been in the repair shop for 30 days or more cumulatively for warranty repairs.
The dealership has made a “reasonable number of attempts” to repair the same defect, and the problem persists.
The defect substantially impairs the vehicle’s use, value, or safety.
The defect is not due to abuse or neglect by the owner.
The vehicle is still under the manufacturer’s warranty.

How Long Can a Dealership Hold Your Car for Repair in Florida?

Florida’s Lemon Law focuses on providing manufacturers a “reasonable number of attempts” to repair defects within the first 24 months or 24,000 miles of ownership, whichever comes first. In Florida, if your vehicle is out of service for repair for 30 or more cumulative days due to warranty defects, you may be eligible for a refund or a replacement vehicle under the Lemon Law.

Florida law generally considers three attempts to repair the same issue as “reasonable.” If the problem continues after three attempts, or if the car has been out of service for 30 cumulative days, consumers must send a written notification to the manufacturer to allow a final repair attempt.

How Long Can a Dealership Hold Your Car for Repair in Georgia?

Georgia’s Lemon Law differs from some other states in that it does not specify a maximum number of days a dealership can keep a car for repair. Instead, Georgia law emphasizes the “reasonable number of attempts” criterion.

In Georgia, it’s advisable to have a written agreement with the dealership regarding the repair timeframe. While there isn’t a legal limit on repair time, you are legally entitled to retrieve your vehicle from the repair shop at any time. However, unresolved issues may still need to be addressed under warranty.

How Long Can a Dealership Hold Your Car for Repair in Michigan?

The Michigan Lemon Law sets a clear limit, allowing a dealership to hold a car for repair for a maximum of 30 days. This 30-day limit includes any time spent waiting for parts.

Michigan law also specifies that dealerships and manufacturers are given up to four attempts to repair the same defect. After four unsuccessful attempts, or if the vehicle is out of service for 30 days, consumers can pursue a Lemon Law claim.

How Long Can a Dealership Hold Your Car for Repair in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts law is quite stringent, stipulating that a dealer is allowed to keep your car for repair for a maximum of just 11 working days in total. This timeframe specifically excludes weekends and federal holidays.

In addition to the time limit, Massachusetts law allows dealers only three repair attempts to diagnose and fix a defect. These strict limits are designed to ensure quick resolution of vehicle issues for consumers.

How Long Can a Dealership Hold Your Car for Repair in NJ?

New Jersey’s Lemon Law for used cars allows dealerships to keep a car for repair for a total of 20 cumulative days for a single reported problem. Similar to other states, New Jersey law also grants dealerships a maximum of 3 attempts to fix the issue.

Under New Jersey law, the consumer has the responsibility to demonstrate that the defect substantially impairs the vehicle’s operation, safety, or value.

What to Do If Your Car Repair Is Taking Too Long

If you feel that your car repair is taking an unreasonably long time, here are steps you can take:

Communicate with the Service Manager: Your first step should be to have a direct conversation with the service manager at the repair shop. Clearly express your concerns about the delay and ask for a realistic estimated completion date.
Review Your Agreement: Check any written agreement or contract you have with the repair shop. This document should outline expected repair times or any agreed-upon deadlines. Identify if the repair shop is breaching any terms of the agreement.
Consider Legal Options: If communication fails to resolve the issue and the repair shop continues to delay or refuses to release your vehicle, consider exploring legal options. This might involve filing a complaint with consumer protection agencies in your state, seeking mediation services, or consulting with an attorney specializing in consumer law or Lemon Law.
Understand Your State’s Lemon Law: As discussed, Lemon Laws are in place to protect consumers from defective vehicles. Familiarize yourself with your state’s specific Lemon Law provisions, particularly regarding repair time limits and the number of repair attempts. If your situation aligns with your state’s Lemon Law criteria, you may have grounds for a claim.

What Is Considered a Reasonable Repair Time Under Warranty?

While “reasonable time” can be subjective, a general guideline is that a repair shop should aim to complete most warranty repairs within 30 days. This timeframe encompasses both diagnosis and the actual repair work, including potential delays in parts procurement.

However, as we’ve seen, some states have codified shorter “reasonable times” in their Lemon Laws, such as Massachusetts with 11 working days and New Jersey with 20 cumulative days.

To avoid ambiguity, it’s always a good practice to establish a written agreement with the repair shop that includes an estimated completion date. This provides a clear expectation and can be a reference point if delays occur.

Get Efficient Car Service from Trusted Experts

The efficiency and quality of service are key indicators of a reputable car repair shop. At Badell’s Collision, we understand the importance of timely and accurate car repairs. We are committed to providing expert workmanship with a focus on efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and service accuracy.

Serving car owners in Malvern and Aston, PA, our experienced mechanics handle everything from minor cosmetic repairs to complex collision damage, always striving to complete work within agreed timeframes.

FAQs

Mechanic has had my car for 6 months, what should I do?

If a mechanic has had your car for 6 months, this is far beyond a reasonable timeframe. Immediately contact the service manager and demand a clear explanation for the delay and a firm completion date. Inquire about parts availability and shipping status if that’s the stated cause of delay. Remember, you have the right to retrieve your vehicle. If unsatisfied, you can take your car to another repair shop. For warranty repairs, this prolonged delay may entitle you to compensation or a replacement under Lemon Law.

Has my car been in the shop for 3 months?

Having your car in the shop for 3 months is also excessively long. Communicate with the service manager to understand the reasons for the extended delay and to re-evaluate the repair plan. Review your initial agreement to check for any breach of contract. If your car is under warranty and the issue falls under Lemon Law criteria in your state due to extended repair times, you should explore your options for compensation or vehicle replacement.

How long is too long for my car to be in the shop?

Generally, exceeding 30 cumulative days for warranty repairs can be considered too long. Beyond this timeframe, especially if the issue remains unresolved, you should actively pursue communication with the repair shop management and investigate your rights under your state’s Lemon Law.

What if I get work done on my car and it doesn’t solve the problem?

Repair shops are typically given multiple attempts to fix a problem, often around three attempts within the 30-day timeframe for warranty repairs. If the issue persists after multiple attempts while still under warranty, you may be entitled to a vehicle replacement or a refund under Lemon Law. If your car is out of warranty, and the repair was ineffective, you may still be entitled to a partial refund depending on your agreement with the mechanic. Consider seeking a second opinion from another mechanic.

About The Author

Brandon Badel

Brandon Badel is the owner of family-owned Badell’s Collision. Brandon’s “customer first” approach and true commitment to going above and beyond is what distinguishes him from other local shop owners. Brandon is proud to have two locations to better serve Chester and Delaware County car owners, and looks forward to a future full of success for his team.

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