In Laval for over 15 years, one repair at a time

You leave the shop, the bill is paid, and two weeks later the same noise returns. The first question that comes to mind is how much the second visit will cost. In Quebec, the answer is often zero. All automobile repairs are guaranteed by law for 3 months or 5,000 kilometers, whichever comes first. No paperwork to sign, no favors to ask of the mechanic.

Yet, this protection remains poorly understood and is occasionally bypassed. Here is what it covers, what it excludes, and what to do when the problem persists.

The 5 key points

• Any repair over $50 is guaranteed for 3 months or 5,000 km, whichever comes first, and the warranty begins when you pick up the vehicle.
• It covers parts, labor, and reasonable towing or roadside assistance fees. You pay nothing for the follow-up repair.
• It follows the vehicle: if you sell it, the new owner keeps the remaining warranty.
• It is extended by the time the vehicle is out of service: four days in the shop for the same problem adds four days to the warranty.
• Only three exclusions: repairs of $50 or less, and the sale and installation of tires or a battery, when billed together.

A non-negotiable warranty

The automobile repair warranty comes from the Consumer Protection Act. It is automatic, free, and the mechanic cannot waive it on your behalf. It applies to any automobile repair provided by a merchant to a consumer, regardless of the vehicle's age or the garage used.

Its duration: 3 months or 5,000 kilometers, whichever comes first.. Drive 6,000 km in six weeks, and the warranty is over. Drive 800 km in four months, and it is also over. The starting point is the delivery of the vehicle, meaning the moment you drive away with it, not the date the work began.

For a motorcycle, the rule changes: 1 month, with no mileage limit.

What the warranty covers, beyond the part

Many people believe that only the part is covered. In reality, the warranty includes parts, labor, and reasonable towing or roadside assistance fees. If the repair fails and the vehicle is no longer drivable, the tow truck is not at your expense.

The mechanic also cannot issue you a new invoice to redo their own work. They have an obligation of result: the work must achieve the expected outcome. If they outsourced part of the job to a subcontractor, it makes no difference to you. They are responsible for the repair and cannot refer you to their supplier.

A garage can offer more than what the law requires, but never less. A longer or more comprehensive in-house warranty is perfectly legal. A warranty that reduces the 3 months or 5,000 km is not.

The three exclusions to know

The warranty is void in three specific cases. A repair where the total cost, including parts and labor, does not exceed $50. The sale and installation of tires, when billed together. The sale and installation of a battery, under the same conditions.

These last two exclusions require careful reading. They apply to the combined sale and installation billed as a single item. The parts themselves remain covered by the legal warranty of quality: a part must be fit for its intended purpose and remain in good condition for a reasonable amount of time, given its price and how it is used. A tire that delaminates after three weeks is therefore not a closed case.

It follows the vehicle, and it extends

Two mechanisms often fly under the radar.

The first: the warranty is transferable. If you sell the car a month after a major repair, the mechanic must honor any remaining warranty for the new owner.

The second: it is extended. If you have to return to the shop for the same issue during the coverage period, the warranty is extended by the amount of time the vehicle spends in the shop. Two days in the shop means two extra days of coverage. However, the mileage limit continues to apply: reaching 5,000 km before the end of the 3-month extension ends the warranty.

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The problem isn't fixed: what to do next

Go back to the garage that performed the repair, not somewhere else. The law requires them to redo the work, and having it repaired elsewhere will complicate things.

If the vehicle is still drivable, take it to the garage. The rework is done at no charge. If it is no longer drivable, or if driving it would risk worsening the problem, it is up to the mechanic to arrange and pay for towing. And if you are very far from the garage, they may entrust the repair to another mechanic: in that case, they are still responsible for the repair costs and, if applicable, the towing fees.

Keep your invoice. It must indicate the vehicle's make, model, and license plate number, the mileage at the time of delivery, the parts installed along with their condition (new, used, rebuilt, or reconditioned) and their price, the number of labor hours, the hourly rate, and the total cost. This document establishes the start date for your 3 months and the reference mileage..

Before the repair: a written estimate changes everything

The best way to avoid a warranty dispute is to set the terms of the repair from the start. The mechanic must provide a written estimate for any work costing more than $100. Once accepted, it is binding for both parties: the price shown is what you will pay, even if the work took more hours than expected.

Any repair not included in the estimate requires your prior authorization. If given by phone, it must be recorded by the mechanic: your name, the number where they reached you, the date, and the time. You can also request, at the time of authorizing the work, that the replaced parts be returned to you. There are three exceptions: repairs performed free of charge, remanufactured or refurbished parts, and parts that must be returned to the manufacturer.

One final tip, easy to check when you walk in: every garage must clearly display an official sign that summarizes these rights and indicates their hourly labor rate. It is sold by Publications du Québec and cannot be replaced or reproduced. A garage that does not display it is already in violation of a simple requirement.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 3-month or 5,000 km warranty automatic?

Yes. It is provided for by the Consumer Protection Act and applies to any automotive repair over $50, without any extra steps or fees. The mechanic can improve it, but never reduce it.

When does the warranty begin?

Upon delivery of the vehicle, meaning when you pick it up from the shop. The date and mileage recorded on the invoice serve as the reference.

Is towing covered?

Yes. The warranty includes parts, labor, and reasonable towing or roadside assistance fees. If the repair fails and the vehicle is no longer drivable, the mechanic must cover the cost of towing it back to their shop.

What happens if I sell my vehicle while it is still under warranty?

The warranty stays with the vehicle. The mechanic who performed the repair must honor any remaining warranty for the new owner.

Are tires and batteries covered?

Not under the repair warranty: the sale and installation of tires or a battery, even if billed at the same time, are excluded. However, the legal warranty of quality still applies to the part, which must remain in good working order for a reasonable period.

Can the shop charge me to fix the same problem again?

No. As long as the warranty is in effect, the follow-up repair is free of charge. The mechanic has an obligation to achieve a result and cannot issue a new invoice to redo their own work.

Can the shop refer me to their subcontractor?

No. The mechanic remains responsible for the work, even if they outsourced part of it to a subcontractor. You deal directly with them.

Can I get the replaced parts back?

Yes, if you request them when authorizing the work. There are three exceptions: repairs performed at no charge, remanufactured or refurbished parts, and warranty parts that must be returned to the manufacturer or distributor.

Conclusion

At MDF Mécanique, in Laval, a written estimate is provided before any work begins, even for jobs under $100, and the 3-month or 5,000 km legal warranty applies to every repair, whether performed at the shop or on the road with our mobile unit.

Have a question about a diagnostic or a warranty claim? Talk to a mechanic, not a salesperson.

Sources

All legal statements in this article are sourced from the Office de la protection du consommateur du Québec (pages consulted and verified).

1. Warranty — Garages, mechanics and body shops, Office de la protection du consommateur
2. If the problem is not resolved, Office de la protection du consommateur
3. Written estimate, Office de la protection du consommateur
4. Invoice, Office de la protection du consommateur
5. Mandatory sign, Office de la protection du consommateur
6. Return of parts, Office de la protection du consommateur