Know your rights at an Ohio repair shop

Ohio's consumer-protection rule for vehicle repair (Ohio Adm. Code 109:4-3-13) gives you these rights:

• An estimate if the job is likely over $50. Before work starts, the shop has to let you choose a written estimate, an oral estimate, or no estimate. You get a written one if you choose it.
• No more than 10% over without your OK. If you chose an estimate, the final bill (before tax) can’t be more than 10% over it unless you approve the extra.
• No charge for work you didn't authorize.
• Teardown fees disclosed up front. If you might stop the job partway through, the shop has to tell you before it starts that there will be a charge for taking things apart and putting them back together.
• An itemized final bill that lists the parts (and whether they're new, used, rebuilt or remanufactured), the labor charge, and who did the work.
• Your replaced parts handed back, by default. The exception is parts the shop told you before the work started it must keep, such as warranty, rebuild or core-return parts.
• A copy of anything you sign.
• Honesty about the repair. A shop can't say a repair is needed, or that your car is dangerous to drive, when that isn't true.

Shops must post a sign or give you a notice explaining these rights.

If you think a shop broke these rules, you can file a complaint with the Ohio Attorney General's office.

This is general information, not legal advice. Source: Ohio Adm. Code 109:4-3-13 (effective Mar 21, 2026), checked Nov 1, 2026.