Reps. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) and Todd Platts (R-Pa.) last week introduced legislation that would require auto manufacturers to make the tools and technology needed for auto repairs available to local repair shops so that consumers are not forced to seek repairs at the dealer. It would also provide for enforcement of this requirement through the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or civil action by states.
"Our constituents deserve the ability to choose where, how and by whom to have their vehicles repaired," Towns said. "That choice may be an automotive independent repair shop or a new car dealership, or even the ability for do-it-yourselfers to repair vehicles, but that choice should remain with the consumer."
Towns's description of the Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act said the legislation is needed because cars are becoming more sophisticated, and yet automakers have become "more and more reluctant to provide the necessary information, tools, and codes to repair their automobiles to mom and pop repair shops." It said automakers also restrict repair information to authorized dealers, which forces consumers to get repairs that are "often more expensive."
Under the bill, H.R. 1449, automakers would have a "duty to disclose information" pertinent to repair and maintenance," would have a "duty to make tools available," and would have to make replacement equipment available.
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7 comments:
This is a GOOD bill! This bill protects the consumer from outrageous dealer repair bills!
The only problem is, what local shop is willing to invest (tens) of thousands for tools that only work on certain brands? It's hard enough for a Mom & Pop place to make it as it is these days. They have to evaluate the cost-benefit of investing in such tools.
Our shop has already invested thousands into computer equipment but there are some areas and some vehicles that only the "dealer" can work on. That's what this bill is about.
Toyota is the worst at refusing to allow acces to their repair proceedures.
Good, I Want Billy Bob and the local garage to tweak the electronic throttle control on my car.
......
Sounds good in theory, but very stupid move in practice!
special tools are useless if you dont have the skills to use them.
I think they should just charge the time it takes to make a fix. That would lower repair bills, or justify the higher rate of a "factory" trained technician.
But along with proprietary tools, did you know that BMW considers the repair history of your car their proprietary info? If you buy a used BMW from outside the dealer network, good luck getting the service records if the owner didn't keep them.
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