'Right to Repair' Legislation Protects Consumers From Vehicle Repair Monopoly

Computer Technology Driving Car Owners Back to Dealer for High Cost Repairs

BETHESDA, Md., -- As car manufacturers add more "smart car" computer technology to vehicles, the need for the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 2694) has become more critical in order to protect consumers from the added costs created by a vehicle repair monopoly, according to Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).

As vehicles become more complex with virtually every system monitored or controlled by computers, the owners of those vehicles are discovering that car manufacturers and their dealers have a virtual monopoly on service when they deny car owners and their trusted neighborhood repair shops the information needed to diagnose, service and repair vehicles.

The cost to consumers when they can only have their car repaired at the dealership is estimated to be as much as 25 percent higher with labor charges alone, according to a study comparing dealer repair tags with those of an independent service center.

"Right to Repair merely seeks to restore a system that has been in place since the invention of the automobile," said Schmatz. "Clearly, using advances in technology to deny consumers their right to choose where they have their car repaired is a misuse of these computers and certainly not in the consumer's best interest."

Historically, independent repair shops have had access to repair information, but as computers become more prevalent on newer vehicles, car manufacturers are increasingly locking out these service providers from critical safety alerts as well as the information and software necessary to use on-board computers in order to complete repairs. The Right to Repair Act offers protections for motor vehicle owners by making it illegal for vehicle manufacturers to withhold information necessary to diagnose, service or repair motor vehicles.

"Without Right to Repair legislation, many motorists may forgo important vehicle repairs due to higher dealer repair costs. This situation would be exacerbated if there is no dealership in the vicinity, dramatically increasing the cost of fuel and the travel time," continued Schmatz.