Definition

Noun: 1. A legal claim on an automobile: A "garageman's lien" is a specific type of security interest or legal right. It allows a garage, auto repair shop, or mechanic to retain possession of a vehicle until the owner pays for repairs, storage, or other services performed on that vehicle. It is an extension of the broader legal concept of a mechanic's lien, applied specifically to automobiles.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The repair shop placed a garageman's lien on the car after the owner refused to pay the bill.
  • Before you can retrieve your vehicle, you must satisfy the garageman's lien by paying the outstanding charges.

Advanced Usage

• Enforcing a lien: If the debt remains unpaid after a certain period, the holder of a garageman's lien may have the legal right to sell the vehicle at auction to recover the owed amount.
  • The court authorized the sale of the car to enforce the garageman's lien.

Variants and Related Words

• Mechanic's lien (n): The general legal claim that allows a craftsman or laborer to secure payment for services or materials provided for improving a property (like a building or vehicle).
• Possessory lien (n): A broader category of lien where the creditor must retain physical possession of the property. A garageman's lien is a type of possessory lien.

Synonyms

• Automotive repair lien
• Mechanic's lien (specific to vehicles)

Notes on Meaning

This term is primarily used in legal and automotive business contexts in regions where such lien laws exist (notably in the United States and Canada). It is not a term used in everyday conversation. The core concept is the right to hold property as collateral for a debt related to that specific property.

Noun

1. the extension of a mechanic's lien to include payment for work on automobiles