When you car needs service or repairs, you may decide to take it to a local authorized dealer for the manufacturer of your car, or to an independent auto repair shop. A good starting point for finding a reliable automotive service technician, mechanic, or body repair shop is to ask friends and acquaintances for recommendations, or look at online reviews.

The automotive service technician or repairman should first determine the likely cause of the problem with your car (possibly using diagnostic tests), and then provide you with a written estimate of the parts and labor required to fix your car. If you authorize the estimated work verbally or by signing a written estimate, you are agreeing to pay for the work—and if you fail to do so, the auto repair shop may be able to keep your car as security for payment until you do so (a mechanic’s lien). And the auto repair shop may not do additional work or increase the amount of the charges without first securing your permission—preferably by you signing a revised estimate that includes the additional work or charges.

In Utah, when seeking automotive service or repairs, consumers often choose between authorized dealerships and independent repair shops. Recommendations from friends or online reviews can be valuable resources for finding a trustworthy service technician or mechanic. Under Utah law, the repair shop is required to provide a written estimate detailing the probable cause of the issue, the necessary parts, and labor costs before commencing work. By authorizing the work, either verbally or by signing the estimate, the customer agrees to pay for the services rendered. If the customer fails to pay, the shop may impose a mechanic’s lien, retaining the car as collateral until payment is made. Additionally, Utah regulations require that the repair shop must not perform extra work or increase the charges without the customer's explicit consent, which is best obtained through a signed revised estimate that includes the additional work or charges.