Learn about the rules a repair shop must follow

The law in Ontario gives you rights and protection when you pay someone to repair your vehicle. These rules cover repairs to cars, vans, trucks, motorcycles, and motor-assisted bicycles. The law applies to dealerships, neighbourhood garages, used car lots, and specialty garages.

For example, the law says that a repair shop must:

• tell you the cost of an estimate before they give you an estimate
• offer to give you a written estimate
• not charge more than 10% more than the estimate they give you (for example, if the estimate was $1,000, the most they can charge is $1,100)
• not do work that you have not agreed to
• display a sign that says how much they charge for services and work
• display a sign that tells you if their employees work on commission

Commission means that an employee gets paid based on how many parts they sell. The sign must tell you how much commission they get paid and for what parts. This helps you make an informed decision when you agree to pay for service or parts.

Avoid getting your car repaired at a shop that does not follow these rules.