Girona’s automotive sector is warning about illegal workshops that it says undercut legal garages and leave customers without proper protection. CORVE, the employers’ association for automotive and nautical firms in the Girona area, says the problem has been ongoing for years.
The practical advice for drivers is clear: keep invoices and repair paperwork, and check that a garage can provide insurance cover and guarantees before you hand over a vehicle. CORVE says customers may otherwise struggle to make a claim if something goes wrong.
What CORVE says
According to CORVE, illegal workshops often operate quietly, without advertising, in isolated spaces or ordinary warehouses, and rely mainly on word of mouth to find clients. The association says it reports suspected cases to the Mossos d’Esquadra, Seprona, the Guardia Civil and the relevant news local council when member businesses identify them in their municipality.
Lluís Maria Blanch, vice-president of CORVE, said these workshops do not comply with environmental, labour or guarantee rules. He said they may not separate waste, some workers may not be registered with Social Security, they may lack insurance, and they may not have the technical training needed to repair vehicles.
Why the sector says it matters
CORVE says the impact on regulated workshops is direct because illegal operators do not face the same costs or obligations. Blanch said this creates fiscal, labour and environmental fraud, and also damages the image of the sector.
The association also says customers can be left exposed if something goes wrong, because they may not receive invoices or documents needed to make a claim. That matters for Girona drivers who need proof of repair, and for businesses that rely on proper records for fleet maintenance and insurance.
What the Mossos warn about
According to the Mossos d’Esquadra, illegal workshops can pose environmental risks through poor handling of waste such as oils and brake fluids, as well as safety risks for workers and possible related offences such as electricity fraud. CORVE says the problem is hard to eliminate completely, but that cooperation between the sector and public bodies can help limit its spread.
Readers who suspect an illegal workshop should contact the Mossos d’Esquadra or their town hall, and keep any paperwork linked to the repair. For local updates, follow the news tag and check official guidance from the relevant authorities before using a garage.
