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Just months ago, motorists lined up before dawn outside WH Car Services in Ferry Pen, on the St Andrew/St Catherine border, desperate for reliable vehicle repairs. Today, the crowds are gone. Though the shop appears active, it hasn't officially reopened.

Inside, staff are quietly working through a backlog of unfinished jobs while awaiting government clearance to resume full operations--possibly by August.

The Chinese-operated garage was shut down over a month ago following an investigation by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security into the employment status of several foreign nationals. Labour Minister Pearnel Charles Jr later confirmed that while some staff members had valid work permits, others were found either working without authorisation or outside the terms of their permits.

It is now permitted to resume business once it meets a range of agreed conditions.

"We're just taking a few customers to clear the backlog because the demand was overwhelming and things happened very quickly," said Summer, the company's translator and receptionist, who spoke on behalf of managing director Mingjhen Chen in his absence.

"Our official opening was always intended for August."

That demand, largely driven by social media buzz, saw WH Car Services handle more than 1,000 vehicles in just two months. And despite the hiccups, many customers like Dwayne, from Old Harbour, St Catherine, say they're still willing to wait.

"Mi rather wait than go somewhere else and spend twice the money only fi end up back to square one," Dwayne told THE STAR. He had dropped off his vehicle the day before the Government ordered the closure and was only just able to retrieve it as the shop began clearing its backlog.

"When mi come here, dem explain everything, no guessing. Mi feel like mi money well spent."

Dwayne says the shop has become his go-to since experiencing what he described as "years of frustration" with traditional garages.

Stacy-Ann, a hairstylist from Kingston, shared similar sentiments. "I was upset when I come and see it locked the first time, but mi understand now. The way dem fix mi car mi nah switch. Mi just want dem sort out everything and come back fully," she said.

WH Car Services focuses heavily on transmission and engine work, particularly CVT systems, which account for the majority of their complex repairs. According to Yen, a supervisor at the garage, one of the major challenges they have observed is the scarcity and high cost of quality auto parts in Jamaica.

"In China, parts are readily available. Here, once you factor in import charges, a $10,000 engine can cost five times more," he said.

Currently, the garage offers pre-inspection services ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, while general servicing starts at approximately $8,000. However, the team is careful to note that these prices only cover basic checks--more advanced issues such as electrical or engine repairs incur additional costs.

Summer stressed that until the permit process is fully resolved and all equipment is in place, there will be no formal reopening.

"We still have some things to sort out. When we're fully ready, we'll post the update on TikTok," she said.

While some motorists have moved on, Dwayne says he'll wait as long as it takes.

"Mi trust dem. Dem nah guess, dem fix," he said.