Cars have become a critical component to the daily routines of people across the United States. They allow us to drop our children off at school, make it to work on time, run errands, and transport the goods we need. While cars come with a lot of benefits, they have some drawbacks as well. They can be expensive to keep running, tricky to clean, and contribute to air pollution.
However, there is one aspect of owning a car that is frequently overlooked by owners: they can be stolen. While the chances of having your entire car stolen are comparatively fairly low, there were 850,708 reported thefts of motor vehicles in 2024, per per the Insurance Information Institute. High-horsepower cars such as the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and pickup trucks like the GMC Sierra 2500 are particularly desirable for auto thieves. While many thefts occur when cars are parked in public, vehicles may be stolen from the owner’s driveway or even the shop they get repairs done at.
In this article, we discuss what steps to take if your vehicle is stolen while at a mechanic’s shop. While we hope this is an issue you and your loved ones never encounter, it pays to be prepared for anything that may happen!
How Do Car Thefts Occur at Mechanic Shops?
When we take our car to a dealership or mechanic for service, we expect that they will take every precaution possible to protect our vehicles. However, some shops are more lax with security measures than others. In some cases, cars have been stolen from repair shops because the keys were left in an easily accessible location, such as on a desk or in a box. Once a thief has possession of a vehicle’s key, it’s a relatively simple matter to drive the car off the lot.
Even well-known dealerships have been the victim of auto thefts. In 2023, an organized group of auto thieves stole six Dodge Challenger Hellcats from a Kentucky dealership in under forty-five seconds. The total value of the stolen cars came out to nearly $600,000! The dealership’s lockbox and alarm system were no match for the thieves, who were long gone before police responded to the break-in.
Consequences of Car Thefts
Car thefts impose an incredible burden upon the victims, who suddenly find themselves without a vehicle to use. Whether the vehicle is owned outright, financed, or leased, it can be a huge financial blow to be without the use of your car indefinitely through no fault of your own. Even if your car is recovered by law enforcement, it’s not unusual for stolen cars to be damaged in auto accidents, contaminated by unclean substances, or gutted for parts. In many cases, stolen cars are deemed “totaled” by insurance providers even when they are recovered, which is by no means a guarantee.
Who is Liable for a Car Stolen from a Mechanic’s Garage?
Determining who is legally responsible for a car that’s stolen from a mechanic’s garage can be very challenging. If the mechanic was negligent and failed to take proper precautions to prevent theft on their premises, it is likely they will be deemed responsible for the vehicle. Examples of negligence can include leaving the business unlocked after hours, keeping vehicle keys in an easy-to-access location, or leaving cars unsecured on the lot.
In many cases, leaving your car with a mechanic creates a “bailment agreement.” Essentially, you temporarily transfer physical possession of an object (in this case, a motor vehicle) to the mechanic, while retaining ownership of it. If it can be proven that your car is stolen from a negligent mechanic while under a bailment agreement, their shop insurance will most likely be forced to cover the incident. The laws regarding vehicle thefts, particularly from mechanic shops, may vary from state to state. If your vehicle is stolen, it may be in your best interests to consult with an attorney to determine how to best proceed.
Steps to Follow After a Car Theft at a Mechanic’s Shop
Dealing with the theft of your vehicle can be incredibly stressful and frustrating. If you ever experience this situation, you should take action immediately to increase the chances of your car being successfully recovered. You should:
- Call law enforcement to report the theft as soon as you are aware of it
- Check your insurance policy and the mechanic shop’s insurance policy to determine who may cover the loss
- Keep a record of all communications with the repair shop and any involved insurance companies
- Take legal action, as needed
Dealing With the Aftermath of a Stolen Car
Having your car stolen, especially when it’s supposed to be safe in a mechanic’s garage, is an incredibly frustrating experience. We certainly hope that you and your loved ones never have to go through this hassle, but knowing what to do if your car is stolen may just be helpful one day.
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