Automakers and independent car repair shops have signed onto a new agreement that reaffirms access to telematics data and automotive right-to-repair laws, providing independent car repair shops with necessary diagnostic and repair information. The agreement follows the recent passage of a law in Massachusetts that requires open remote access to vehicle telematics and vehicle-generated data. Automakers have criticized the Massachusetts law as posing a potential cybersecurity and safety risk.
Per a report from Automotive News, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a Washington D.C.-based lobby group, of which GM is a member, has signed a deal with the Automotive Service Association and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists that affirms a 2014 national memorandum of understanding between OEMs and independent car repair shops. The original agreement was introduced after Massachusetts passed its own automotive right-to-repair law the year prior.
The new deal provides independent car repair shops with access to the same diagnostic and repair information that automakers provide to authorized dealer networks. The agreement includes a stipulation to continue access even as automotive technology evolves, and includes the telematics data required to diagnose and repair issues, as well as covering both existing and new vehicle powertrain technologies, such as battery-powered vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and fuel cell vehicles.
In addition, those involved in the deal have outlined plans to provide education and training, offering resources to independent car repair shops via OEM websites or via third-party sources.
“Auto repairers across the U.S. have access to the same repair and diagnostic information provided to auto dealers,” said Alliance for Automotive Innovation CEO, John Bozzella. “It’s not just automakers who say this. It’s the Federal Trade Commission. And with today’s agreement, it’s also the thousands of independent auto repairers and small businesses in all 50 states who together with automakers have once again made this fundamental commitment to customers.”
A new right-to-repair law in Massachusetts went into effect early last month following overwhelming approval by voters in a 2020 referendum, requiring automakers who sell vehicles in Massachusetts to give repair shops open access to vehicle telematics. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation attempted to block the law citing cybersecurity and safety risks, while the NHTSA told automakers not to comply, as the state law violated federal law.
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Comments
I just saw a video where a dealer had charged a customer $500 to diagnose a problem with their truck. They gave the customer a quote of $3,900 to do the repairs. The customer took the truck to a local mechanic for a second opinion. After running diagnostics for about an hour, he found that a ground strap had corroded causing a low voltage problem. He replaced the ground strap and everything was working just fine. Total cost…….$200! That’s why I refuse to take my cars to any dealer.
Yep my 2014 volt needed its coolant loops changed x3. My dealer I bought from wanted to charge me near $800 bucks but I already knew the cost at another dealer nearby was $129 or $390ish to do the same. I asked the service rep at my main dealer to recheck that. SHE NEVER came back to clarify. I left and had the other dealer do all my maintenance due at reasonable prices which is all I can ask for. But if they do or try the same BS, I will gladly leave them too. If ya have a reputable dealer, I say patronize them. I don’t like Teslas model of the nearest service center is 1hr away at least or so and maybe they might come to my house…but free ? No I prefer to get to a nearlby dealer especially if I have to tow it there.