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Washington Auto Repair Act: A Shop Owner's Guide

What Washington's Automotive Repair Act, chapter 46.71 RCW, requires of a repair shop: estimates over $100, the three customer choices, the 110% limit, the sign, invoices, replaced parts, records and what a violation costs.

Ijharul Islam October 21, 2026 10 min read

The Washington Auto Repair Act, chapter 46.71 of the Revised Code of Washington, is short, but it reaches every estimate, phone approval and invoice in your shop. It doesn't set up a repair shop license; it sets disclosure rules, and it puts teeth behind them by tying violations to the state's Consumer Protection Act and taking away your lien for anything unauthorized.

More on this topic: Auto repair laws and compliance, every guide in one place.

This guide quotes the chapter as published on the Legislature's site in October 2026, section by section, with a worked example of the 110% rule and an approval note you can copy. For how Washington compares with other states, see our estimate laws by state hub.

The short answer

Washington Auto Repair Act, in short: RCW 46.71 requires a written estimate, or the customer's initialed choice, before work over $100; you can't charge more than 110% of the estimate, before sales tax, without recorded approval; post the "Your Customer Rights" sign; itemize invoices; return parts if asked; and keep estimates and invoices at least one year.

Key takeaways

Estimates over $100 must be in writing, unless the customer picks another option on the form or there was no face-to-face contact (RCW 46.71.015, 46.71.025).
The bill can't exceed 110% of the written estimate, excluding sales tax, without oral or written approval recorded on the estimate.
Drop-offs without face-to-face contact still need oral or written approval before any parts or labor.
The "YOUR CUSTOMER RIGHTS" sign has set wording and letter sizes.
Break the estimate, parts or sign rules and you lose your lien for the unauthorized amount; violations are Consumer Protection Act violations.

Disclosure: we make BayRobin, an AI receptionist and front office for independent repair shops, and show where it fits. Everything here works without it. Figures from other companies come from their public pages, checked in October 2026 and linked at the end.

Who does Washington's Auto Repair Act cover?

Any person or business that "for compensation engages in the business of automotive repair or diagnosis", including collision and refinishing work (RCW 46.71.011). Automotive repair covers routine maintenance and specialties such as brakes, electrical, exhaust, tires, transmission, tune-ups and windshields.

One exclusion matters for shops with business accounts: "commercial fleet repair or maintenance transactions involving two or more vehicles" and ongoing service contracts for vehicles used mainly for business aren't covered. A single business customer's car still is.

The chapter creates no repair shop license. The state's link to you is your business registration: when the Department of Revenue issues your registration certificate, RCW 46.71.090 says it must give you notice of the chapter. Your city may have its own business license.

When does Washington require a written estimate?

Before any parts or labor on a job over $100, unless the customer chooses otherwise (RCW 46.71.015 and 46.71.025). The estimate lists the date; your shop's name, address and phone; the customer's name, address and phone if available; for a delivered vehicle, the year, make, model, plate or last eight digits of the VIN, and the odometer reading; the problem or repairs requested; and the customer's choice. The choice wording is set by law:

"YOU ARE ENTITLED TO A WRITTEN PRICE ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIRS YOU HAVE AUTHORIZED. YOU ARE ALSO ENTITLED TO REQUIRE THE REPAIR FACILITY TO OBTAIN YOUR ORAL OR WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION TO EXCEED THE WRITTEN PRICE ESTIMATE. YOUR SIGNATURE OR INITIALS WILL INDICATE YOUR SELECTION. 1. I request an estimate in writing before you begin repairs. Contact me if the price will exceed this estimate by more than ten percent. 2. Proceed with repairs but contact me if the price will exceed $______. 3. I do not want a written estimate." followed by initial or signature, date and time (RCW 46.71.025)

Two exceptions. When a car arrives with no face-to-face contact (a key drop or a tow), no written estimate is required, but you still need oral or written authorization before any parts or labor. And collector, horseless carriage, street rod, custom and parts cars are exempt; if you give an estimate on one anyway, you bill time and materials at least every two weeks.

How much can you go over the estimate in Washington?

Up to 110% of the written estimate, excluding sales tax, unless the customer approves more first (RCW 46.71.025(2)). A worked example with assumed numbers:

Written estimate (before tax)	Most you can bill without new approval	Tech finds a $180 caliper
$800.00	$880.00 plus tax	$980.00 is over the limit: call first
$1,500.00	$1,650.00 plus tax	$1,680.00 is over the limit: call first
$250.00	$275.00 plus tax	$430.00 is over the limit: call first

The 10% is a ceiling for surprises, not a cushion to bill into. When you get approval by phone, the law lists what to note on the estimate. A note you can copy:

Additional work approved by phone. Date: [date]. Time: [time]. Added parts and labor: [description]. Estimated added cost: $[amount]. Taken by: [employee name or ID]. Approved by: [name], [phone number].

For drop-offs without face-to-face contact, record the date and time, the total amount authorized, the employee's name or ID, and the name of the person authorizing. Our authorization form has these lines built in.

What must a Washington repair invoice include?

Every job gets an invoice, "whether or not a written estimate is required" (RCW 46.71.015(2)). On top of the estimate details it shows:

A description of the repair or maintenance done.
Every part by name and part number if available, or the kit, package or shop supplies.
Whether parts are rebuilt or used, and on collision work, aftermarket or non-OEM body parts.
The price of each part and the total for parts.
The total for labor, and the total charge.

Parts and labor needn't be split for "an advertised special by the job, a predisclosed written repair menu item, or a routine service package". Warranty or no-charge work needs a parts list or description but no prices. The customer gets a copy of the estimate before work (unless waived) and of the invoice at completion, and RCW 46.71.045 makes it unlawful to refuse a free copy of anything they signed. Washington's definitions of rebuilt and remanufactured parts are in our OEM vs aftermarket guide.

What does Washington's customer rights sign say?

Post one or more signs "in a prominent place on the business premises", readily visible to customers, with this text (RCW 46.71.031):

YOUR CUSTOMER RIGHTS. YOU ARE ENTITLED BY LAW TO: 1. A WRITTEN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS WHICH WILL COST MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS, UNLESS WAIVED OR ABSENT FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT (SEE ITEM 4 BELOW); 2. RETURN OR INSPECTION OF ALL REPLACED PARTS, IF REQUESTED AT TIME OF REPAIR AUTHORIZATION; 3. AUTHORIZE ORALLY OR IN WRITING ANY REPAIRS WHICH EXCEED THE ESTIMATED TOTAL PRESALES TAX COST BY MORE THAN TEN PERCENT; 4. AUTHORIZE ANY REPAIRS ORALLY OR IN WRITING IF YOUR VEHICLE IS LEFT WITH THE REPAIR FACILITY WITHOUT FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT BETWEEN YOU AND THE REPAIR FACILITY PERSONNEL. IF YOU HAVE AUTHORIZED A REPAIR IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ABOVE INFORMATION YOU ARE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THE COSTS OF THE REPAIR PRIOR TO TAKING THE VEHICLE FROM THE PREMISES.

The first line must be at least one and one-half inches tall and the rest at least one-half inch. Copy the wording from the official text when you order the sign.

What are Washington's rules on replaced parts and warranties?

If the customer asks for replaced parts when authorizing the repair, return them "at the time the work is completed" (RCW 46.71.021). Parts that must go back to a manufacturer, remanufacturer, distributor, recycler or rebuilder, or be disposed of by law, you offer to show instead; warranty parts are excepted, and you needn't show a part you didn't charge for. Ask the question at write-up and note the answer. If you give a written warranty on the repair, hand over a copy on request (RCW 46.71.051).

What practices does the Washington Auto Repair Act ban?

RCW 46.71.045 lists seven unlawful acts:

False, deceptive or misleading advertising (a single isolated media mistake doesn't count).
"Materially understating or misstating the estimated price" of a repair.
Keeping payment for parts not installed or work not done.
Driving a customer's car for anything other than repair or diagnosis.
Refusing a free copy of any document the customer signed.
Taking payment twice, from the customer and a warranty or service contract company, for the same work.
"Charging a customer for unnecessary repairs": those with no reasonable basis, such as the manufacturer's specifications, accepted industry standards or the customer's own request.

What happens if a shop breaks the Washington Auto Repair Act?

You can lose money in court, lose your lien, and face Consumer Protection Act claims, though not criminal charges under this chapter:

Consequence	What the law says	Section
Capped recovery	Can't recover more than 110% of what was authorized unless you prove it was "reasonable, necessary, and justified"; the winner may get attorneys' fees	46.71.035
No lien	No possessory or chattel lien for unauthorized parts or labor if you break the parts, estimate or sign rules	46.71.041
Consumer Protection Act	A violation "is an unfair or deceptive act in trade or commerce"; no criminal liability under RCW 46.64.050	46.71.070
Customer lawsuit	Actual damages, costs and attorney's fees; the court may treble damages, with the increase capped at $25,000	19.86.090
Attorney General	Civil penalty up to $7,500 per violation	19.86.140

Keep true copies of estimates and invoices for at least one year (RCW 46.71.060); electronic records are fine if you can print them. Unpaid-bill disputes are covered in our mechanic's lien guide. This isn't legal advice: statutes and regulations change, and cities and counties can add rules of their own, so check the current official text or ask a lawyer or your state association before you change your forms.

Frequently asked questions

Does Washington require a written estimate for auto repair?

Yes, for repairs over $100 when the customer is there in person, unless they choose "proceed" up to an amount or "no written estimate" on the form. Without face-to-face contact you still need oral or written approval first.

Can a mechanic charge more than the estimate in Washington?

Only up to 110% of the written estimate, excluding sales tax, unless the customer approves more before the work. Record the approval on the estimate with date, time, employee and the approver's name and phone.

Do I need a license to run a repair shop in Washington?

Chapter 46.71 doesn't create a repair shop license. You register the business with the Department of Revenue, which must give you notice of the chapter, and your city may require a business license.

How long must a Washington repair shop keep invoices?

At least one year after the repair, for both estimates and invoices, available to the customer on request. Electronic copies are fine if you can print them.

Can a Washington shop keep a car if the customer won't pay?

Not for unauthorized work: RCW 46.71.041 bars a possessory or chattel lien for unauthorized parts or labor if the shop broke the estimate, parts or sign rules. For authorized work, check Washington's lien statute; our mechanic's lien guide covers the basics.

Where BayRobin fits

In BayRobin, the customer approves or declines each service on one link, phone approvals are recorded with your name, and open estimates get follow-up texts on day 2, 5 and 10; see inspections, estimates and invoices. Washington's choice form, sign and approval details are yours to add to your templates and counter. BayRobin is free until your first 10 booked jobs, no card up front. Start free or see pricing.

Sources

Competitor details in this post were checked against these public pages in October 2026. Products and prices change, so confirm with each vendor before you decide.

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