Full question:
I own a smog shop. I have many used car dealers that use my service. They are billed twice a month. One dealer refuses to pay for 7 cars that I smogged for them. I sent a certified letter to the dealer stating that they were 30 days past due and if not paid by 7-10-10 I was going to file a mechanic's lien on all 7 vehicles to secure payment. They called and said 'go ahead' see what it gets you. All I can find are contruction lien's. How or what do I do to start the process and can the dealer be billed for the expenses I incure processing this issue?
- Category: Civil Actions
- Subcategory: Liens
- Date:
- State: California
Answer:
Under California law, a mechanic's lien is established when you present a written statement of charges for completed work or services to the vehicle's registered owner, or 15 days after the work is finished, whichever comes first. The process for a lien sale on a vehicle is complex and varies based on the amount owed. You may need to ensure the owner pays any storage costs before you can release the vehicle.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.