Minnesota auto repair estimate rules

Source: Minn. Stat. Sections 325F.56 through 325F.66 (Truth in Repairs Act)

Minnesota's Truth in Repairs Act covers repair work priced over $100 and under $7,500 on vehicles, appliances, or dwellings used primarily for personal purposes. Upon a customer's request, a shop must provide a written estimate before starting work, itemizing parts, materials, labor, and any charge for making the estimate itself (which must be disclosed and agreed to beforehand). The shop may not charge more than 110% of the estimate (i.e., 10% over) unless it discovers additional necessary work it did not unreasonably fail to disclose earlier, provides a revised written estimate, and gets the customer's authorization to continue - otherwise it must return the item to as close to its original condition as possible and release it upon payment for authorized work, capped at 110% of the original estimate. Oral compliance is allowed if the shop later documents the oral communication in writing and provides it at completion. An invoice is required for repairs over $50 or work done under warranty, service contract, or insurance.