Myth #1

Vehicle manufacturers make all repair-related information available.

A survey conducted by Opinion Research of 1,000 aftermarket repair shops found more than $5.8 billion in service and parts sales are lost annually because independent repair shops lack access to the necessary repair information and tools from vehicle manufacturers. The survey also found 1.8 million motorists were turned away because independent repair shops did not have the codes and tools to repair their vehicles.

A good example are the codes required to reinitialize vehicle computer systems.
Independent repair shops or individuals can perform many repairs only to discover, near the end, that they are unable to access the codes to reinitialize a cars computer systems. That leaves the technician and vehicle owner unable to start the car to complete the repair.

Myth #2

Right to Repair is intended to allow aftermarket companies to reproduce original parts.

The legislation only requires vehicle manufacturers to share information necessary to repair vehicles the same information shared with franchised dealers. A repair technician does not need to know internal software codes. They just need the information and tools that can obtain the information off the on-board computer to pinpoint the problem and be able to implement the repair.

Replacement parts sold in the aftermarket are frequently manufactured by the same producers of original equipment installed by auto manufacturers.


Myth #3

Car companies and aftermarket dealers already have a cooperative agreement to provide repair data through the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF).

NASTF was established in 2000 to resolve information issues raised by the independent service industry. In reality, NASTF has functioned as a clearinghouse for complaints from independent auto repair shops by funneling them to their respective vehicle manufacturers.

NASTF has fallen far short of what is needed. In many cases, it can take weeks for NASTF to resolve an information dispute, which does little good for a consumer who wants his or her vehicle repaired as quickly as possible.

As a voluntary organization, NASTF has no antitrust exemption, so it cannot address issues such as vehicle makers charging discriminatory prices to independent auto repair shops.

Through the auspices of the Better Business Bureau in 2005, an attempt was made to improve the effectiveness of NASTF. The effort failed when vehicle manufacturers refused to agree to a balanced governing board and enforcement powers to ensure repair information was shared equally and at fair prices.

Myth #4

Nobody has enacted Right to Repair legislation.

The European Union enacted a Right to Repair law almost four years ago and, based on its success, recently extended it until 2023, with strengthened provisions.

There is precedent in the United States under the Clean Air Act. Car manufacturers are required to provide information about air emission control systems to all repair shops on a non-discriminatory basis.