§ 20-354.3. Written motor vehicle repair estimate and disclosure statement required. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 20‑354.3.  Writtenmotor vehicle repair estimate and disclosure statement required.

(a)        When any customerrequests a motor vehicle repair shop to perform repair work on a motor vehicle,the cost of which repair work will exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350.00)to the customer, the shop shall prepare a written repair estimate, which is aform setting forth the estimated cost of repair work, including diagnosticwork, before effecting any diagnostic work or repair. In determining under thissection whether the cost of the repair work exceeds three hundred fifty dollars($350.00), the cost of the repair work shall consist of the cost of parts andlabor necessary for the repair work and any charges for necessary diagnosticwork and teardown, if any, and shall include any taxes, any other repair shopsupplies or overhead, and any other extra services that are incidental to therepair work. The written repair estimate shall also include a statementallowing the customer to indicate whether replaced parts should be saved forinspection or return and a statement indicating the daily charge for storingthe customer's motor vehicle after the customer has been notified that therepair work has been completed.

(b)        The informationrequired by subsection (a) of this section need not be provided if the customerwaives in writing his or her right to receive a written estimate. A customermay waive his or her right to receive any written estimates from a motorvehicle repair shop for a period of time specified by the customer in thewaiver.

(c)        Except as providedin subsection (e) of this section, a copy of the written repair estimaterequired by subsection (a) of this section shall be given to the customerbefore repair work is begun.

(d)        If the customerleaves his or her motor vehicle at a motor vehicle repair shop during hourswhen the shop is not open, or if the motor vehicle repair shop reasonablybelieves that an accurate estimate of the cost of repairs cannot be made untilafter the diagnostic work has been completed, or if the customer permits theshop or another person to deliver the motor vehicle to the shop, there shall bean implied partial waiver of the written estimate; however, upon completion ofthe diagnostic work necessary to estimate the cost of repair, the shop shallnotify the customer as required by G.S. 20‑354.5(a).

(e)        Nothing in thissection shall be construed to require a motor vehicle repair shop to give awritten estimate price if the motor vehicle repair shop does not agree toperform the requested repair. (1999‑437, s. 1; 2001‑298, s. 2; 2005‑304,s. 1.)