Don't Waste Your Money | The ins and outs of mechanics liens | Business

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Imagine bringing your car into a repair shop, only to find a few weeks later that it's been sold.

Most people don’t know this, but if you can’t afford a car repair, and leave your car sitting at a shop for more than 30 or 60 days, depending on the state, the shop has the right to seize your car, retitle it, and sell it, under what is called a “mechanics lien.”

Bennie Love, a disabled Veteran, just learned what a mechanics lien is all about.

"What happened, they sold my car? Why did they sell my car? I didn't tell them to sell my car," Love said.

Love said he was fighting with the shop over a major engine repair that he didn't have the money to pay for, so the car sat for about a month.

Calling the police or local sheriff's department doesn't help either, they aren't able to do anything.

Ronald Burge, a consumer attorney, said unfortunately this happens all the time and it is perfectly legal.

"Often times they don't realize there is a possibility of one happening."

In doing this, mechanic shops can recover their losses.

Shop owners can fill out a form, take it down to the county clerk's office, and get a new title issued in their name.

Bottom line, you must pay for your repair or have your car towed away if you can't afford to fix it, that way you don't waste your money.