Car repair bills often turn out to be more expensive than expected. Sometimes, other emergency bills arise before you can cover the cost of the garage.

No matter the reason, if you can repay your car repair, it can put you in an awkward situation. 

In this article, we’ll explain what happens if you can’t pay for car repairs, your options, and whether a garage can keep your car. It’s all going to be okay — now, let’s get into it. 

Can a garage keep my car if I don't pay?

Yes, a garage can keep your car if you refuse to pay.

However,  be aware that under UK law, mechanics can lien your car if you don’t pay the bill in full within 30 days. 

A lien is a legal claim on property, such as a car, which must be cleared before you can take it back. You might have to leave your car in the garage until the bill is fully paid.

To avoid that happening, you might want to put part of the bill on a credit card or consider a dedicated auto repair loan. 

Should you contact your insurance?

Yes, if you can’t afford to pay your car repair bill, check your car insurance policy.

Your insurance might cover the costs if your repairs are due to accidents, vandalism, theft, or extreme weather (e.g. hail damage). However, this largely depends on your policy coverage level. 

What are your car repair financing options? 

If your auto repair bill is more than you expected and you can't afford to pay it, you have some options. Here are six ways you can tackle the situation: 

1. Ask if there's a cheaper alternative

If a repair estimate seems high, politely ask about cheaper options.

Garages may use less expensive parts or adjust labour costs without compromising quality.

Can a mechanic use used parts to repair my car?

Yes, using reconditioned parts or parts from a breaker can often save lots of money on repair bills. 

Certain parts, such as AC compressors, alternators, gearboxes, and more, can be bought and used online. We advise against using used safety-critical parts like brakes or steering unless professionally reconditioned.

How to buy used car parts

A good way to find second-hand parts for your car is to search on places like eBay. There, you can select ‘used’ under the condition filter and often find breakers listing the exact part.

You can search for general breaking ads, such as “Ford Fiesta 2010 breaking, if there isn't a specific item”. 

These items are usually listed for a token amount - say £1.00. From this listing, contact the seller to ask if they have the required component.

Will a mechanic fit used parts?

Garages often hesitate to fit used parts and may refuse parts they haven’t sourced. 

Explain your situation, but note this usually voids any warranty since the parts lack a guarantee. If you’re comfortable with this, the mechanic might agree to help.

2. Do the repairs in phases 

If multiple repairs are suggested, ask to prioritise the most urgent ones. Spacing out the work helps manage costs, as long as deferring doesn’t pose a safety risk.

Can my car repairs wait?

Not all car issues need immediate repair, but minor problems can worsen over time. Ask your mechanic if urgent repairs are needed and what might happen if they're delayed.

If the brakes, steering, suspension, exhaust, or engine are faulty, avoid driving until they're fixed. 

3. Offer to pay the bill in instalments

Paying this bill in instalments is better than not paying at all.

If you can’t clear your car’s repair bill in one go, ask the service centre if they’ll let you break it into multiple payments.  

Some garages will let you do this or may even offer their basic in-house financing for large repair jobs. 

4. Get a second quote 

Some garages are more expensive than others, depending on the time, tools, and expertise they have available.

If you’ve been quoted a large repair bill, gather the information the garage used to draft that quote, such as symptoms, tests conducted, etc., and phone around a few other local garages.

Can a specialist garage repair my car cheaper?

In some cases, a garage with no experience tackling your particular job may quote higher purely because they’re unsure how long the repair will take. 

Specialist garages, those that focus on your particular brand or type of car, may have much more experience and confidence and will be able to fix the problem cheaper. 

5. Using a credit card

Credit cards are a simple way to cover any unexpected expense, though the interest can make an already hefty bill even bigger. 

For a big repair bill, using a credit card can work if you have a 0% APR deal and can repay quickly. Otherwise, standard interest rates will add to the cost.

In that case, the interest rate on a dedicated car repair loan might be more attractive.

6. Sell the car 

In rare cases, selling your car and using the proceeds to buy a more affordable one is the most practical solution. 

When shopping for your next vehicle, take into account fuel efficiency and ongoing maintenance costs to find a cost-effective choice. Or check out the cheapest ways to buy a car here.

7. Consider car repair loans 

An auto repair loan is designed to cover unexpected car repairs, with a simple application process for quick access to funds. 

While good credit helps, specialist lenders often cater to those with poor credit, though this may mean higher fees or interest rates.

How Bumper can help if you can’t pay your repair bill

Bumper lets you split a hefty repair bill into smaller, easy-to-manage, interest-free payments. 

With one bill split every three minutes, 5,000+ partners nationwide, and a five-second response time, we’re always ready to help. Learn more about Bumper now.

Here’s a quick step-by-step summary of the Bumper system:

1. Enter your vehicle registration number and postcode
2. Select a local repair centre from our network
3. Complete a simple credit application for up to £5,000 
4. Receive your unique Bumper Code
5. Book your appointment

The whole process takes a matter of minutes. 

Bumper lets you get the repairs you need quickly while deferring payments in easy interest-free instalments. Visit our How It Works page to find out more or search for a trusted repairer near you.