D.A. Sues Auto Shops, Alleging Unfair Charges

The district attorney’s office filed a civil lawsuit Monday against three auto repair shops that allegedly charged for unneeded car repairs and parts not replaced.

The defendants are Goodyear Advanced Tire and Service at 25502 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo; El Toro Tire & Service at 23211 Cherry Ave., Lake Forest; and Quality Care Auto at 2705 S. Grand Ave., Santa Ana. Also named as a defendant was Homayon Bakhtar, owner of the three repair shops. Bakhtar could not be reached late Monday.

The lawsuit alleges that the shops misled customers about repairs needed, and sometimes charged for parts not installed.

The state Department of Consumer Affairs sent seven undercover agents to the three shops from October 1999 to March 2001.

The shops allegedly charged a total of $3,809 in unneeded repairs and parts invoiced but not replaced.