Investigators with the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) conducted a sweep of 253 auto repair facilities in Los Angeles County on Nov. 12 and 13 to look for shops that were unlicensed or delinquent and found that 67 shops weren’t compliant with California law.
“Unlicensed activity hurts all Californians,” said Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) Director Carrie Lopez. “It’s a part of a multi-billion-dollar-a-year underground economy which robs our communities of resources, threatens the safety of consumers and puts reputable, licensed trade and health care providers at an economic disadvantage.”
A California license assures the consumer has the ability to take unresolved questions, issues or complaints to the DCA, Lopez said. Unlicensed facilities often avoid paying taxes and other local fees legitimate businesses pay, the DCA says.