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An ABC News story from WBRZ2 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, reports that Ms Olivia Hayes won her civil suit against an auto repair shop after her car was dismantled and returned to her in pieces.
Here’s a summary of her story:
May of last year after saving enough money to have the repair done by a garage, Olivia dropped off her 2010 Volkswagen EOS at Moberley’s Car Repair, Inc. to have the convertible top repaired.
Unfortunately for her, weeks passed at the shop and rolled into months, leaving her a year later with the repair still not done.
Worse yet, the garage was reportedly unable to reassemble her car, and now she is without her much-needed car.
I got it back in a box…it’s broken, too broken. They can’t put anything back together again,” she stated.
The Volkswagen EOS is infamous for a problematic convertible top. On social media, post comments were unfavorable about the EOS model:
The worst cowl shake of any new car I’ve ever driven, and that’s saying something. It’s kinda fun but it’s not going to be reliable…that roof is a nightmare.” ―proscriptus
Hard tops are prone to squeaks and rattles as well as leakage as they get older. Getting the top to align properly for opening and closing is more difficult. The EOS has always been a deeply polarizing car and generally not well regarded.” ―verdegrrl
Olivia’s best recourse was to take the garage to her local Small Claims Court.
To ensure her best chances of winning her case, Olivia created a detailed record in a folder to present to the court, which included every text message between her and the garage, as well as details of who did what when, in clear chronological order.
ChatGPT Gave Me Some of the Best Advice.”
Impressed by her story and the thoroughness of the evidence she presented, the court ruled in her favor, ordering the garage to pay her $4,500 within the next 30 days.
The news team reported that the owner of Moberly’s said he would like to have worked things out with Olivia. However, it appears to be too little, too late, as Olivia has faced so many delays that she has lost confidence in the garage’s ability to help her or anyone else.
I just want everyone to be aware that there’s a chance if you take your car to Moberly’s, that it will end up in a box,” stated Olivia
Related article: Why No One Trusts Automotive Mechanics
For now, Olivia plans on advertising the car for parts to recover some of her losses.
Here is the video for additional details:
Mechanic Damages Car Beyond Repair, Woman Wins in Civil Suit
Does ChatGPT Give Good Legal Advice?
If you scour the internet, you will find increasing numbers of posts by OPs admitting to viewers that they used ChatGPT to help with their decision-making when faced with a new or unfamiliar problem.
But is this recommendable, or is it a bad idea?
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I asked ChatGPT its “thoughts” on whether it gives sound legal advice, and here is a summary of its reply:
“ChatGPT does not give legal advice in the way a licensed attorney does. Here’s what you can expect from ChatGPT when it comes to legal topics.”
What ChatGPT Can Do:
- Explain legal concepts in plain language (e.g., what “lemon law” means).
- Summarize statutes or case law (with limitations—may not be fully up to date).
- Help draft basic legal documents (e.g., sample demand letters, simple contracts).
- Assist with research preparation (e.g., outlining issues to discuss with a lawyer).
- Point to general procedures (e.g., how small claims court typically works).
What ChatGPT Cannot Do:
- Give personalized legal advice based on your situation.
- Interpret laws in a way that replaces a lawyer’s judgment.
- Provide up-to-date, jurisdiction-specific legal guidance with any guaranteed accuracy.
- Represent you in any legal matter or provide attorney-client privilege.
The Bottom Line Answer:
“ChatGPT is a helpful starting point for understanding legal topics, but not a substitute for a qualified attorney. Always consult a licensed lawyer in your state or country for advice tailored to your situation.”
In other words, for Olivia, ChatGPT appears to have helped AS A Tool to prepare her case for a small claims court in an effective and affordable way to seek compensation for her problems with the garage.
However, as with anything legal-related, it is always best to seek help from someone within the profession to review your materials, ensuring not only accuracy but also preventing an embarrassing faux pas regarding procedure and what to expect in civil claims court.
Why Did The Garage Fail So Miserably on The Repair and What Can Car Owners Learn From This?
If you follow the video comments, a very believable scenario explains why the garage failed and how Olivia found herself in this situation.
It comes down to three factors:
1. Volkswagen convertible tops are a notorious issue that even dealerships struggle to repair, often having to find a specialist to assist with the repair.
This is why I turn down 9 out of 10 jobs, these Volkswagen convertible tops are a notorious issue that even dealerships struggle to repair here in Hawaii, they had to fly in a specialist and they ended up losing $8,000 on the repair.” ―@justinantonius2828
2. Smaller garages needing business will often get themselves (and their clients) into trouble with a repair by taking on jobs they have neither the skills nor the experience to handle. Even highly trained independent mechanics know enough to turn away some jobs and refer the car owner to the dealership.
I’m an ASE-certified mechanic, and I avoid convertible vehicles like the plague. There’s no amount of money you could give me to repair one, although I can. Even the technicians that works on them efficiently shy away from convertibles. Don’t take on a job if you lack the experience, patience, or ability to comprehend the amount of time and work required. And I guarantee you that the technician quit after realizing how screwed he was with putting it back together. ―@Sticksgrow
3. Car owners often go to a garage for a repair without checking if the garage has experience with their car model and the specific problem it has. A little questioning can reveal right away whether this is the correct garage and mechanic for your car’s repair.
Okay, why didn’t you take your VOLKSWAGEN to a VOLKSWAGEN dealership where a VOLKSWAGEN CERTIFIED mechanic would have worked on your car? ―@foldypuppy22
While the local ABC News station presents this as a “good news” success story, there is little doubt that the $4,500 is insufficient to compensate for Olivia’s losses.
However, it serves as a good reminder to others that a small claims court is a viable option and affordable for many car owners who find themselves with a failed repair or disservice when hiring a garage to fix their car.
What Are Your Thoughts? Are you 100% with the OP in this story? Was it worth the time and energy she put in seeking satisfaction? Have you experienced a garage taking on a repair that they should have referred elsewhere? If so, please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati who currently researches and restores older vehicles, often incorporating engine modifications for improved performance. He also covers modern cars—including EVs—with a focus on DIY mechanics, tool use and selection, and other topics related to automotive repair. Follow Tim on Twitter (@TimBoyerWrites), Facebook, and his blog, Zen and the Art of DIY Car Repair, for daily updates and insights on new and used cars and trucks.
Image Source: Deposit Photos
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Source: torquenews.com
