Need an attorney for smaller case…

[Ed_RDNC]

First, talk to the bank issuing your credit card and discuss a "ChargeBack".
If you buy something with a cc (NOT a dc), and you don't get what was described, and you've already tried to work it out, then the bank can just take that money back from the vender (the bad mechanic), give it back to you and tell the bad mechanic to get his money from you directly. Remember, the cc bank's customer is you, not him.

Physically retrieving your car may take a lawsuit (perhaps small claims, I don't know about physical property).
It may be hard to prove he never worked on the car, and hard to get it back. For that you need more leverage. Did you look to see if there are other fraud claims against him?

[Jkgourmet]

Originally Posted by Ed_RDNC

First, talk to the bank issuing your credit card and discuss a "ChargeBack".
If you buy something with a cc (NOT a dc), and you don't get what was described, and you've already tried to work it out, then the bank can just take that money back from the vender (the bad mechanic), give it back to you and tell the bad mechanic to get his money from you directly. Remember, the cc bank's customer is you, not him.

The other term for this is disputing a charge on a credit card. Unfortunately, I think OP has missed the boat on that option. By Federal law, credit card companies don't have to accept a dispute beyond 60 days.