Can a Mechanic Repossess a Car from Private Property Without a Signed Work Order? No.

In nearly all jurisdictions, a mechanic cannot seize a vehicle for non-payment without a signed contract explicitly granting a security interest and repossession rights. The legal path: invoice → demand letter → mechanic’s lien (filed with DMV/court) → small claims or foreclosure sale. Unauthorized taking is theft, even if the debt is real. Always get a written repair order specifying lien/repossession terms.