UKCan I sue a garage for poor car repairs in small claims court?
Yes, you can sue a UK garage for poor car repairs in the small claims court if the claim is £10,000 or less. You must act within six years of the repair (or three years for personal injury).
What the Law Says
UK law protects consumers who receive substandard vehicle repairs through statutory rights and civil procedure rules. The small claims track offers an accessible, low-cost route to resolve disputes without needing a lawyer.
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, garage services must be carried out with reasonable care and skill, within a reasonable time, and for a reasonable price — even if no written contract exists. If repairs are faulty, this constitutes a breach of contract.
The Limitation Act 1980 sets strict deadlines: you generally have six years from the date of the repair (or when the problem became apparent) to issue a claim for breach of contract. For personal injury arising from faulty repairs, the limit is three years.
Small claims court in England and Wales handles civil claims up to £10,000 (for goods/services disputes), with simplified procedures and capped legal costs. Claims over £10,000 go to the fast or multi-track, requiring more formal litigation.
Statutory TextEvery contract to supply a service is to be treated as including a term that the trader must perform the service with reasonable care and skill.
— Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49(1)
What to Do
Gather evidence: invoices, photos/videos of damage, repair records, and written correspondence with the garage.
Send a formal 'letter before action' giving the garage 14 days to fix or refund — required under the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims.
Use the Money Claim Online (MCOL) service at www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money to file your claim (fee: £35–£410 depending on claim size).
Attend the hearing (usually by phone or video) — bring all evidence and be ready to explain how the repair failed and what loss you suffered.
If you win, the court will order payment; if unpaid, you can apply for enforcement (e.g., attachment of earnings or bailiff action).
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Related Questions
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-10-11.