Right-to-repair advocates believe that if you own a car, you should be able to have it fixed anywhere, not just at the dealer’s service department. Many in the auto industry have fought back against these proposals because they would force automakers and other companies to provide diagnostic tools and other resources to independent repair shops. Some states have passed right-to-repair legislation, but Congress appears ready to take up a bill that could make right-to-repair the law of the land.
The bill is a bipartisan effort that was written by the Society of Collision Repair Specialists, the Automotive Service Association, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. The groups sent a letter to Congress earlier this month outlining the proposal, which is called the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair Act (REPAIR).
Prior legislation on the subject hasn’t made it through the legislative process, but this bill’s bipartisan backing is an encouraging sign in today’s ultra-polarized political climate. If successful, the legislation would help individual repair shops gain access to automakers’ elaborate vehicle diagnostic tools and software. It also addresses cybersecurity with measures aimed at preventing sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands.
Without right-to-repair laws, vehicle owners are often forced to rely on expensive dealer services due to the complex electronics in many new models. Beyond the costs, some people living in rural areas have little to no dealer access, making it exceedingly difficult to get repairs when needed.
[Images: Ford, GMC, Honda]
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