When should motor trade businesses consider small claims court?

Consider court when the unpaid amount is between £200 and £10,000, you have documentation like quotes, job cards, inspection reports, and correspondence, and the customer is based in England or Wales.

Can I claim against customers who refuse to collect repaired vehicles?

Yes, you can claim for unpaid invoices and reasonable storage charges. You must give proper notice before disposing of an uncollected vehicle under the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977.

What if a customer blames new faults on my repair work?

Pre-work inspection documentation is crucial. Independent diagnostic reports can prove whether faults are related to your work. Document the vehicle condition before and after repairs.

Used Car DealerIndependent GarageMOT CentreBody Shop

Motor Trade Disputes: Used Car and Repair Issues Through Small Claims

No solicitors needed. Step-by-step guidance to recover what you're owed through UK small claims court. Built for used car dealers, independent garages, MOT centres, and body shops.

Check If Your Dispute Can Become a Claim View Detailed Guides

Claims £200 - £10,000England & WalesNo solicitor required

Common Motor Trade Disputes We Help With

From unpaid work to unfair complaints, our guides cover the disputes you face.

Used Car Sales

Mis-Sold Car Defences

Defending against claims that a vehicle was "not as described" or had hidden faults.

Repair Disputes

Customer Won't Pay Repair Bill

Work completed as agreed, but customer refuses to pay or disputes the bill.

"It Was Fine Before" Claims

Customer blames new problems on your recent work.

Emissions & Recalls

Emissions-Related Disputes

Dealing with claims related to emissions or environmental issues.

Insurance Work

Insurer Won't Pay Full Bill

Insurance company offering less than your quoted repair cost.

When to Consider Small Claims Court

Most disputes start as complaints or negotiations. Here's when it makes sense to consider court action.

Consider Court Action When:

The amount is £200 - £10,000 — below the small claims track limit
You have documentation — invoices, job cards, photos, customer authorisations
The customer is in England or Wales — residential or business address

Quick Checklist Before Filing

Customer based in England/Wales

Claim value under £10,000

Written quote or authorisation

Ready to send Letter Before Action

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How CourtPilot Helps You

From documentation to court-ready documents in three steps.

Upload Your Dispute

Order confirmations, tracking data, messages, emails - upload everything and we extract the key facts.

AI Builds Your Case

Automatic Letter Before Action generation, particulars of claim drafting, and deadline tracking.

Court-Ready Documents

CPR-compliant bundles, indexed evidence, and witness statement templates ready for small claims court.

Evidence analysis for motor disputes

Letters Before Action for repair bills

Court bundle with job cards and photos

AI-powered deadline tracking

Real Disputes, Real Outcomes

Examples of how others have recovered money through small claims court and pre-court negotiation.

£1,800

Customer Refused £1,800 Repair Bill

Scenario: Major service and repairs completed. Customer collected car and refused to pay.

Evidence: Signed job card, authorisation text, before/after photos, parts receipts.

Outcome: Vehicle held under lien. Customer paid in full to collect car.

£2,400

"Engine Light Came On" - 6 Months Later

Scenario: Customer claimed gearbox fault caused by your service 6 months prior.

Evidence: Service records, independent inspection report, manufacturer service intervals.

Outcome: Expert report showed unrelated fault. Customer's claim dismissed.

£5,500

Mileage Discrepancy Allegation

Scenario: Buyer claimed car had clocked mileage. Demanded full refund 3 months after purchase.

Evidence: MOT history, previous owner contact, service records, HPI check.

Outcome: MOT history proved mileage accurate. Claim dismissed with costs.

£1,200

Body Shop: Insurer Won't Pay Full Bill

Scenario: Insurance approved repairs. After completion, insurer paid £1,200 less than quoted.

Evidence: Original approval, final invoice, itemised breakdown, insurer correspondence.

Outcome: Letter Before Action to insurer. Settlement paid within 28 days.

£780

Clutch Replacement: "It Was Fine Before"

Scenario: Fitted new clutch. Customer returned 2 weeks later claiming gearbox now "grinds".

Evidence: Pre-work inspection notes, parts warranty, fault diagnosis report.

Outcome: Independent inspection showed gearbox wear unrelated to clutch work. No liability.

£80

When NOT to Claim: No Written Quote

Scenario: Basic service, verbal price given. Customer says they were quoted less.

Evidence: No written quote. Only job card showing work done.

Advice: Advised NOT to pursue. Without written quote, proving agreed price is difficult for small amount.

These examples illustrate typical dispute scenarios. Every case is different and outcomes depend on evidence and circumstances.

Built for UK Small Claims

England & Wales Specific

Guidance tailored to UK small claims court procedures and rules.

CPR-Aligned Documents

Letters and bundles formatted to Civil Procedure Rules standards.

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Information Only - Not Legal Advice

CourtPilot provides tools and guidance to help you prepare your own small claims case. We are not a law firm and cannot give legal advice. For complex matters or if you are uncertain about your rights, please consult a qualified solicitor.

Protect Your Motor Trade Business

Whether it's a customer refusing to pay, false mis-selling claims, or an insurer short-paying, CourtPilot gives you the tools to recover what you're owed through UK small claims court.

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