Preventative Maintenance Services
Assembly Bill 3141 was signed by former Governor Jerry Brown on September 18, 2018. The bill repealed the exemption provided in 1972 by the Automotive Repair Act (Act) to oil changes, tire changes, and other defined services from the definition of repair of motor vehicles. Those performing these services must now be registered with the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) and comply with the Act. The bill created an exemption from the definition for “roadside services” performed to get the vehicle back on the road.
It also established a list of services defined as preventative maintenance in Business and Professions Code (B&P) section 9880.1(j). The bill specified in B&P section 9884.9(e) that a written estimate is not required for an automotive repair dealer to perform preventative maintenance services if the consumer authorizes the service and either of the following occurs:
- The service is performed free of charge.
- The total price for parts and labor necessary to perform the service is displayed conspicuously or is made available to and acknowledged by the consumer.
A written estimate is still required for any repair not specifically defined as a preventative maintenance service. If both repairs and preventative maintenance services are being performed, it is best practice to include the preventative maintenance services on the estimate. An invoice is still required to be provided to the consumer upon completion of repairs in all cases. Additional information is included in BAR’s Write It Right Guide.