Does a garage have to guarantee its repairs? Your rights explained
Published 04 Nov 2026 by Carwooshh
Last reviewed: 4 November 2026
Even without a written warranty, you have legal rights when a garage works on your car.
Your rights: under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a service must be carried out with reasonable care and skill. If it isn't, you can ask the garage to put it right, and in some cases ask for a price reduction.
Warranties: many garages also offer their own guarantee on parts and labour. Ask how long it lasts and what it covers before you agree to the work.
Protect yourself
- Get a written, itemised quote before work starts and ask to be called before any extra work.
- Keep invoices and any replaced parts if there's a dispute.
- If you can't resolve it, you can contact an alternative dispute resolution scheme the garage belongs to, such as The Motor Ombudsman, or Citizens Advice.
FAQ
- Does a garage have to give a warranty on repairs?
- Not necessarily a written one, but the work must be done with reasonable care and skill by law.
- What if a repair fails soon after?
- Contact the garage first and ask them to put it right.
- Can a garage do extra work without asking?
- You should agree the work and price first — ask to be contacted before anything extra is done.