Running an auto shop means dealing with all kinds of customers, from the overbearing ones who want to know every detail to the ones who are just a bit too nonchalant. One mechanic seemed to try his best to do right by a customer, but ended up with an abandoned van on his property for months and a parade of family members trying to get the car on the man’s behalf. Now, commenters are saying this is a learning experience. Some think it’s on the mechanic, and others say the customer is clearly in the wrong. How Did The Toyota End Up At The Shop For Months? In a video posted by mechanic Justin (@mainly_mechanics), he walks through one of the stranger situations he's dealt with at his shop. The mechanic explains that about six months ago, a customer brought in a Toyota Sienna that needed a tire mounted, sway bar links replaced, a CV axle shaft replaced, and some body work from an accident. The customer offered $500 upfront and agreed to pay the remaining labor as it was worked out, and Justin gladly accepted. The team put in six to seven hours on the front right of the vehicle. The customer had supplied his own parts, but when Justin discovered the tie rod ends also needed replacing, he covered the $115 himself and told the man they'd sort it out at the end. When it came time to remove the front passenger-side CV axle shaft, it was completely seized. Tell us what you think! View Comments "A lot of times with these Toyotas, in order to get the CV axle shaft out, you have to separate the transmission," Justin explains in the video. Not wanting to risk breaking the transmission on a job his shop wasn't equipped to handle, he decided to stop and call the customer, but he couldn't. A software migration at the shop had wiped out contact information for a number of customers, and this man was one of them. About a month and a half later, the customer showed up on his own. Justin explained the situation, recommended taking the van to a dealership where a potential transmission issue could be properly addressed, and offered to work out a refund. The customer asked about his $500. Justin told him to come back the next day since he doesn’t carry cash, so that they could settle it. He didn't show up for three days. When he finally did, Justin told him again—come back tomorrow, not in three days, tomorrow. "So I can be well prepared and resolve this issue," he says, noting again that he needed to have cash. Then the man didn't come back for four or five months. With the van sitting immobile (the front wheel off and all suspension components disconnected), Justin eventually had it towed off his property. A week later, the customer's teenage kids showed up asking about it. When that didn’t work out, the man sent his wife. When Justin told the man’s wife what happened, she revealed that her husband had given her two different versions of events: first, that there was something Justin couldn't fix, then later that he was going to fix it. "I said, ‘well, I'm gonna tell you the same story because this is what actually happened,’" Justin says. He's now expecting the husband to show up next, and is asking his viewers what they would have done. On her way out, Justin heard the wife’s car and noticed the exhaust. He offered to fix it at a discount if she came back. "No good deed goes unpunished," he adds. What Can Shops Do When A Customer Abandons A Vehicle? Situations like this are more common than you'd think, and shops do have legal options. According to CarTitles, there are two types of liens a licensed shop can pursue: mechanic’s and storage. A mechanic's lien covers the cost of repairs performed on a vehicle when a customer doesn't pay. Only licensed automotive repair facilities can file one. Individual mechanics working outside of a licensed shop are not eligible. A storage lien is separate, covers the cost of storing or holding a vehicle, and applies to storage facilities or similar entities rather than to repair shops specifically. Both processes vary by state and come with strict timelines. For example, in Texas, a shop has only a 30-day window from when the charge first accrued to file a mechanic's lien. After the 31st day, they can hold a public sale or auto auction. In California, a storage lien must be filed within 30 days of when the registered owner was billed, or the shop loses eligibility entirely. Filing incorrectly can also backfire. Departments of Motor Vehicles across the country have cracked down on improper liens, and the penalties for shops that get it wrong can be steep. In Oregon, a wrongful lien can expose the shop to damages of $2,000 or twice the vehicle's value, up to $20,000. In Texas, vehicle owners can recover up to $10,000 if a lien is improperly placed. Can A Shop Actually Sell An Abandoned Car? Even if a shop gets a lien, selling the vehicle is its own process. According to the Automotive Management Network, shops should expect at least a couple of months from start to finish, and the exact steps depend heavily on where they're located. In New Jersey, for example, a car can't even be considered abandoned until 60 days have passed. In Mississippi, it's 40 days. The general process typically looks something like this: Mail a certified letter to the owner notifying them of the shop's intent to charge daily storage fees and pursue ownership File the appropriate paperwork to secure a lien on the vehicle Photograph the car and VIN plate In many states, publish an official notice in a local newspaper before auctioning the vehicle Some states require the car to go to public auction. Others allow the shop to take title and use it as a loaner. Whose Side Are People On? People weren’t particularly sympathetic to the owner of the Toyota. “I mean you have 6 hours on that vehicle; how much of a refund is he expecting? Most shops I know that $500 is long gone,’ one wrote. Another praised the mechanic, writing, “You’re way more patient then I am lol.” “Well because you didn't get his contact information you should have kept it on your lot,” another wrote. “Produce the invoice for all work done, including timeline and tow fee. Ask for final payment before releasing keys. Black flag the customer in the system,” yet another suggested. Motor1 reached out to Justin for comment via TikTok direct message and comment. We'll be sure to update this if they respond. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team