Vehicle & Boat Repair and Storage Lien Lawyer

Massachusetts law gives garages, repair shops, marinas and boatyards a lien on vehicles and vessels for unpaid repair and storage charges. Those liens can protect a business, but they come with limits, and owners have rights too. Muggeo & Associates represents repair shops, towing and storage businesses, marinas and boatyards in collecting unpaid bills and enforcing liens, and represents vehicle and boat owners and lenders in disputes over charges and the return of property.

For Garages, Repair Shops, Towing Companies, Marinas and Boatyards

• Lien enforcement through a court action for the amount owed and a court order authorizing sale or other disposition of the vehicle or vessel.
• Collection lawsuits in the District Court, including small claims where appropriate, and enforcement of judgments.
• Vessel lien claims under G.L. c. 255, §§ 14 and 14A, including the sworn statement required if a vessel leaves port.
• Abandoned vehicles and vessels and coordination with the Registry of Motor Vehicles and other agencies on title.
• Repair orders, storage agreements and slip contracts drafted to support your lien and limit disputes.
• Defense of customer claims, including Chapter 93A demands over charges, delays or quality of work.

For Vehicle and Boat Owners and Lenders

• Disputed repair and storage bills, including unauthorized work and charges above the estimate.
• Recovering a vehicle or boat held by a garage, tow company, marina or boatyard, including payment under protest and court relief.
• Challenging improper sales or disposals of a vehicle or vessel, including conversion and Chapter 93A claims.
• Towing and storage disputes involving police-ordered or private tows.
• Lender and secured-party questions about priority between a garage or marina lien and a loan.

How Repair and Storage Liens Work in Massachusetts

Motor Vehicles

Under G.L. c. 255, § 25, persons who maintain public garages for storage and care of motor vehicles, or who inspect, recondition and repair them, have a lien on vehicles brought in by or with the owner’s consent for proper charges for storage, work and care. The lien is possessory: the business may hold the vehicle until it is paid. If an owner retrieves the vehicle by fraud or with a bad check, the lien is not discharged. When an insurer pays for the repair, the shop can give the insurer written notice so that the payment check names the shop.

A garage lien does not by itself let the business sell the vehicle. The Registry of Motor Vehicles requires a court order to transfer title on an involuntary transfer of this kind. The order may direct a sale, a sheriff’s auction, or other relief. Police-ordered tows and other involuntary tows are governed by separate statutory notice and sale procedures and by state towing regulations, including limits on storage charges for certain tows.

Boats and Vessels

G.L. c. 255, § 14 gives a lien on a vessel, with its tackle, apparel and furniture, for money due for labor and materials used in building, launching or repairing the vessel and for provisions, stores and other articles furnished for it in Massachusetts. Section 14A adds a lien for storage, in the water or on land, of vessels of not more than 40 feet, including related labor and materials such as stands and cradles. These liens rank ahead of other liens on the vessel except mariners’ wages and last until paid. Under § 15, a lien can be lost if the claimant does not file a sworn statement within 30 days after the vessel leaves port.

Larger and federally documented vessels may also be subject to federal maritime law, including federal maritime liens for necessaries such as repairs, supplies and dockage, which are enforced in federal court. Which law applies depends on the vessel and the claim.

Consumer Protections

Repair and storage businesses dealing with consumers must also comply with the Consumer Protection Act, G.L. c. 93A, and related regulations on estimates, authorizations and billing. Charges that are improper, unauthorized or unreasonable can undermine a lien and expose the business to liability, while clear paperwork supports collection.

Lien Resources

• Vehicle and Boat Repair and Storage Lien FAQ
• Massachusetts Mechanic’s Lien Lawyer (construction liens on real estate)
• Registry of Motor Vehicles: Involuntary Transfers
• Consumer Guide to State Police Towing

Serving Salem and the North Shore

We handle lien matters in Salem, Peabody, Beverly, Lynn, Marblehead, Gloucester, Newburyport, Danvers and throughout Massachusetts. See all areas we serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a repair shop keep my car until I pay?

Generally yes. Under G.L. c. 255, § 25, garages and repair shops have a lien on vehicles left with the owner’s consent for proper charges for storage, work and care, and may keep possession until those charges are paid. The charges must be proper, and disputes over the amount can be raised in court.

Can a garage sell my car for unpaid repair or storage bills?

Not on its own. According to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, title to a vehicle held for unpaid garage or storage charges is transferred only under a court order, which may direct a sale or a sheriff’s auction. Police-ordered and other involuntary tows follow separate statutory procedures.

Do marinas and boatyards have liens?

Yes. G.L. c. 255, § 14 gives a lien on a vessel for repairs, labor, materials and supplies, and § 14A gives a lien for storage of vessels of not more than 40 feet. These liens take priority over other liens on the vessel except mariners’ wages, and last until the debt is paid.

What happens if a boat with an unpaid bill leaves port?

Under G.L. c. 255, § 15, a vessel lien can be dissolved unless the lienholder files a sworn statement of the claim within 30 days after the vessel leaves port. Lienholders should act quickly if a boat is moved.

What can I do if I think the repair or storage charges are wrong?

Ask for an itemized bill, review the estimate and any authorizations you signed, and put your dispute in writing. You can pay under protest to recover the vehicle or boat and then pursue a refund, or ask a court to determine the amount owed. Unfair or deceptive charges may support a Chapter 93A claim.

Holding a vehicle or boat for an unpaid bill, or trying to get yours back? Contact Muggeo & Associates or call (978) 741-1177. Lien deadlines are short and strictly applied, so call early. Our Salem office serves clients across the North Shore and Massachusetts.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Lien rights depend on the contract, the property, the parties and strict statutory deadlines. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee future outcomes. Last reviewed November 2026.