Chapter 5.52 — AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOPS AND WRECKERS

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:

Automobile repair shop.

• Any place where motor vehicles of others are repaired for a charge.

2. Any place where the work of repairing motor vehicles is carried on as an incident to the business of selling new or used motor vehicles, or new or used motor vehicle parts, or as an incident to any other traffic in motor vehicles or their parts or equipment.

"Automobile repair shop" does not include any place where only the following work is done:

1. Tire changing or tire repairing.

• Lamp globe or lamp changing.

• Fan belt changing.

• The charging or changing of batteries.

• Work only for an automobile repairer and not the owner of the motor vehicle.

• Fitting and replacing glass in motor vehicle window.

• Cutting and fitting seat covers.

8. The installation of such minor parts or the making of such trivial repairs as is customarily done as an incident to the business of selling motor fuel, oil or accessories.

Repairer. Any person who manages, conducts or runs an automobile repair shop. (Prior code § 6-1)

• A. Records of Repairs of Wrecked Vehicles. Every repairer shall keep a record, upon forms prescribed by the Sheriff, of the repairs on every motor vehicle where there is physical evidence of a wreck or collision.

• B. Records of Repairs Costing Five Dollars or More. Every repairer shall keep a record, upon forms prescribed by the Sheriff, of every repair of a motor vehicle for which a charge of five dollars or more is made.

• C. Records of Purchases of Secondhand Parts. Every repairer shall keep a record, upon forms prescribed by the Sheriff, of the name and address of every person from whom secondhand parts were obtained. Such person shall sign such records. The repairer shall require such persons to sign such records.

• D. Records of Motor Changes, Serial Numbers of Radios Installed, Etc. Every repairer shall keep a record, on forms prescribed by the Sheriff, of all motor changes, frame changes, body changes and the serial and factory numbers of all radios which he or she installs.

• E. Inspection of Records. For a period of not less than one year after the completion of the work, a repairer shall make available to inspection by the Sheriff or by any other peace officer during business hours all records required by this chapter.

• F. Itemized Statement of Repairs. Upon the demand of such person, a repairer shall furnish an itemized statement of parts and labor used in repairing any motor vehicle of the charges made therefor, to:

  1. Legal owner of such motor vehicle.

  2. Registered owner of such motor vehicle.

3. Insurer of such motor vehicle or of the legal or registered owner or operator thereof.

(Prior code §§ 6-2—6-7)

When a repairer uses any secondhand parts in repairing or altering any motor vehicle, such repairer shall so inform the person for whom he or she is performing such repair or alteration, and shall also so state upon any bill rendered and upon any record required by this chapter. (Prior code § 6-8)

Every repairer shall maintain upon the front of his or her place of business, a sign displaying in plainly legible letters his or her name or any fictitious name under which he or she conducts his or her business.

(Prior code § 6-9)

In addition to other reasons, the City Council may revoke the license of any repairer upon any of the following grounds:

• A. The conviction of the repairer or his or her agent, servant or employee of the theft or other unlawful taking of any motor vehicle or motor vehicle part.

• B. The mutilation or alteration of any engine number or serial number of any motor vehicle.

• C. The misstatement of work done, among other things including:

  1. The installation of old parts and charging for new ones.

  2. Charging for parts not installed.

• D. Conspiracy with any person to defraud the owner of any motor vehicle or any person financially interested in the cost of repair of any motor vehicle.

• E. Making any false statement relating to the repair, storage or towing of any motor vehicle. (Prior code § 6-10)

• A. Defined. "Auto wrecker" means every person who buys any motor vehicle, as the term "motor vehicle" is defined in the State Vehicle Code, for the purpose of dismantling or disassembling or who dismantles or disassembles any such motor vehicle whether for the purpose of dealing in any of the parts thereof or using the same for the purpose of reconditioning any other vehicle or for the purpose of selling or otherwise dealing in materials of such motor vehicles.

• B. Records. Every auto wrecker shall keep records, upon forms prescribed by the Sheriff and made and given in the manner prescribed by the Sheriff, of the required information relative to automobiles wrecked or dismantled, purchases, pledges or consignments.

• (Prior code §§ 6-11—6-12)