Pub. 8 2018 Issue 4

18 AUTOMOBILE DEALER NEWS ILLINOIS www.illinoisdealers.com T he Automotive Repair Act requires motor vehicle repair facilities to disclose a repair estimate and other pertinent information for repair work estimates exceeding $100 and warranties and prohibits certain unlawful practices. If a dealer performs repairs on a customer’s vehicle without providing the customer with a repair estimate, the customer will not be responsible for the repair costs unless the customer waives the right to an estimate in writing as described below. The law does not apply to repairs resulting from collisions, repairs under $100, or certain business fleet repairs. Before performing repairs that exceed $100, repair facilities must get the consumer’s authorization after giving to the customer either: a. a written estimated price for labor and parts for a specific repair and shall not charge for work done or parts supplied in an amount that exceeds the estimate by more than 10% without oral or written consent of the consumer or b. a written price limit for each specific repair and shall not exceed that limit without oral or written consent of the consumer. Any estimate shall also include: a. an estimate of the time necessary to complete the repair, if in excess of one working day; b. the total costs to repair the vehicle; c. all charges to be paid by the consumer to complete the repair, including any charges for estimates and diagnostics; d. a description of the major parts and whether they are new or used e. a calculation of labor costs which may be a combination of industry standard flat rate (time) manuals, actual time, or condition of the vehicle to determine labor costs. This disclosure mandate may also be fulfilled by means of a sign that provides the same information to the consumer. Such a sign shall be posted at a location that can be easily viewed by the consumer; f. an indication whether the estimated repairs are required or suggested; g. if it is necessary to disassemble, or partially disassemble, a vehicle or vehicle component in order to provide the consumer with a written estimate for required repair or maintenance, the estimate shall show the cost of any disassembly or reassembly, or both; h. the date the estimate was prepared or the date the vehicle was presented to the repair facility for repair or servicing, or both, the odometer reading on the vehicle at the time it was left with the repair facility, and a promised date of delivery. Automotive Repair Act