Michigan § 257.1332 - Written estimate required; consent to excess charge; payment of actual cost if cost less than estimate; cost of returning vehicle to original condition; cost of diagnosis; waiver of rights; display of certificate of repair facility registration; inclusion of registration number on document.

(1) Before beginning repair work, a motor vehicle repair facility shall give to the customer a written estimate that itemizes as closely as possible the price for labor and parts necessary for the work. A facility shall not charge for work done or parts supplied in excess of the estimated price, or in excess of the limit stated by the customer in the waiver described in subsection (3), without the knowing written or oral consent of the customer, obtained at some time after the facility determines that the estimated price or stated limit is insufficient and before any work that is not estimated or is in excess of the limit is done or the parts that are not estimated or are in excess of the limit are supplied. If a waiver is not signed under subsection (3) and the estimated price is exceeded by not more than 10% or $50.00, whichever is lesser, the facility is not required to obtain the written or oral consent of the customer for the excess charge unless specifically requested by the customer. This section must not be construed as requiring a motor vehicle repair facility, mechanic, or mechanic trainee to give a written estimated price if the facility, mechanic, or trainee agrees not to perform the requested repair. If the actual cost of a repair is less than the agreed on estimated cost, the customer shall pay only the actual cost.

(2) If a facility or mechanic informs the customer that the price for repair will exceed the written estimate or the stated limit in the waiver and the customer does not want the repair work performed, the customer is responsible for all reasonable costs to return the vehicle to the condition the vehicle was in at the time the vehicle entered the facility. The facility shall indicate those costs in written form, itemizing the costs as closely as possible with a copy given to the customer. The cost of a diagnosis made by the facility, whether or not the customer authorizes the facility to perform those repairs, must be included in the written estimate before the diagnosis is undertaken.

(3) If a customer initiates a request for service or parts for the repair of a motor vehicle without receiving a written estimate and voluntarily agrees to pay all reasonable costs of repair up to an amount stated by the customer, a facility may obtain from the customer a waiver of the customer's right to receive a prior estimate of repair costs. The waiver must be in 14 point or larger bold capital type face and executed with 1 copy to the customer who is requesting the repairs. The waiver must read as follows:

"I, __________, voluntarily authorize __________ to provide services or parts in the repair of the below described motor vehicle without receiving an estimate of repair costs. By signing this form, I understand that I will give up my right to:

1. Receive a written estimate of the cost for repairs;

2. Approve in advance any repairs or costs with a total cost under $ __________; and

3. Refuse to pay for repairs with a total cost less than the amount stated above.

The facility may exceed the amount stated above only after I give my written or oral approval.

Motor vehicle description:

Customer signature _______________

Date __________

Time __________".

(4) A waiver described in subsection (3) is not effective unless the waiver is given by the customer voluntarily and with full knowledge of the implications of the waiver. A motor vehicle repair facility or anyone in the facility's employ shall not make use of a waiver described in subsection (3) in an attempt to evade this act.

(5) Except for a motor vehicle repair facility that is an auxiliary facility, a motor vehicle repair facility shall at all times display, in a place and manner conspicuous to the facility's customers, a current and valid certificate of repair facility registration issued by the administrator.

(6) A motor vehicle repair facility shall include the facility's registration number, as assigned by the administrator, on each copy of any instrument, form, contract, or other document used by the applicant in dealing with the public in the repair of motor vehicles, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(a) Any document on which the facility routinely requires the customer's signature.

(b) Any document used by the facility in connection with providing estimates, diagnoses, or repairs.

(c) Any invoices, warranties, or waivers.

(d) Any other document used by the facility to comply with this act or rules promulgated under this act.