What can I do if a mechanic will not return my car?

Ask for a written invoice showing work performed, parts ordered, and any storage terms that were agreed to. If you cannot resolve it, you can seek help from local law enforcement or consumer protection. Choosing a shop that communicates clearly prevents this situation.

How does S&S Auto and Diesel handle scheduling and drop off?

We tell you when we can look at the vehicle before you leave it. If the car is drivable and our bays are full, we schedule a firm drop off time so you keep your car until we are ready. You will know the plan from the start.

Will you tell me up front if you cannot work on my vehicle?

Yes. We are upfront about what we service. If your repair is outside our scope, we say so at the counter, which saves you time and helps you avoid a long wait with no progress.

Do you charge storage fees if my car stays at the shop?

If storage applies, we explain it in writing before the vehicle is left with us. Most routine visits do not have storage since we schedule active work and return vehicles promptly.

When Mechanics Hold Your Car Too Long, two Local Story

Q: Can a mechanic legally keep my car in Texas?

A shop may hold a vehicle only when a valid lien applies for completed work or documented storage that was disclosed in advance. Your car is your property. At S&S Auto and Diesel we explain timing, costs, and next steps before you leave the vehicle with us.

Q: How long should I expect a repair to take?

Many repairs finish within one to three business days once parts are in stock. Complex repairs or parts delays can take longer. We set a target estimate at check in and update you if the plan changes.

Kasi Drummer
Aug 14, 2025
3 min read

Imagine dropping off your vehicle at a trusted mechanic. You hand over the keys, expecting a phone call in a few days about the repair finished. Only to call your trusted mechanic to get complete silence. Weeks pass. Then months. After attempt after attempt to get her property back those months turned into years, three years to be exact. In the end, she had to involve the police just to reclaim her own property.

No car repair should ever end that way.

She will be dropping her vehicle off with us tomorrow, although we are expecting some damage from sitting in a field for 3 years, we also know the original issue that she brought in her Infiniti for.

Another Story: Weeks of Waiting for Nothing

Another driver thought his repair would be simple. He dropped his car off at a local shop and waited to hear back. Two weeks later, they called him not to tell him that his truck was ready but an update no one wants to hear. The shop told him, “We don’t work on cars that old.”

Two weeks wasted. No progress. No communication. No respect for his time.

He could have taken his truck to another mechanic but nope.

Why These Stories Matter

Stories like these spread quickly in small Texas towns. And they leave people feeling powerless, confused about whether their vehicle is being fixed, frustrated that their time and property weren’t respected, and sometimes forced to fight for what’s rightfully theirs.

No one should ever have to argue with a mechanic just to get their car back.

The S&S Auto & Diesel Difference

At S&S Auto & Diesel in Mineral Wells, TX, we do things differently.

Clear communication: You’ll know when we can look at your vehicle before you ever leave it with us.
No wasted time: If we can’t work on your vehicle, we’ll tell you upfront so you don’t spend weeks waiting for nothing.
Respect for your property: Your car is your property. We won’t keep it locked away in the back lot without your consent or a clear plan.
Flexible drop-off: If your car is drivable but we don’t have an open spot, we’ll schedule a drop-off time so you can keep using it until we’re ready.

That’s just respect, and it’s how we run our shop every single day.

Texas Values: Respecting Property

Here in Texas, we take property rights seriously. Your car isn’t just transportation, it’s part of your livelihood, your family’s daily life, and your independence. At our shop, we honor that by treating every vehicle with the same care and urgency we’d want for our own.

A Promise You Can Count On

The truth is, too many drivers have been burned by shops that go silent, drag out repairs, or simply don’t care. We’re here to prove it doesn’t have to be that way.

When you bring your vehicle to S&S Auto & Diesel, you can expect honest answers, realistic timelines, and full respect for your property. That’s our promise and it’s how we’ve earned the trust of Mineral Wells families for generations.

FAQs: When a Mechanic Holds Your Car Too Long

Q: Can a mechanic legally keep my car in Texas?

A: Yes, but only if you owe for completed repairs or storage fees. If no work has been done and no agreement is in place, you may have grounds to demand your vehicle back.

Q: How long should I expect a repair to take?

A: Most repairs should only take a few days. If parts are on backorder or the repair is more complex, your mechanic should communicate updates clearly.

Q: What can I do if a mechanic won’t return my car?

A: In Texas, you may need to involve law enforcement or seek legal help. This is why choosing a shop with a reputation for respect and communication is so important.

Q: How does S&S Auto & Diesel handle repairs?

A: We’ll let you know exactly when we can start, how long it will take, and whether we can service your vehicle at all before you ever leave it with us.