The Automotive Oil Change Association (AOCA) recently re-voiced its support for the Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act in strongly urging Congress to pass the pro-consumer, pro-small business legislation.
“Americans throughout the country rely on oil change facilities for convenient local service. In order for these small businesses to be able to serve their customers, they must have access to the safety alerts and repair information necessary to provide basic maintenance services and safety checks on today’s modern vehicles,” said Leanne Stump, executive director of the AOCA. “We have a growing concern that important repair information is being denied or not released in a timely manner to our members, including simple filter applications and fluid capacities that are fundamental to their survival.”
The legislation would require vehicle manufacturers to provide vehicle owners, authorized dealers and independent repair service operators “all information to diagnose, service, maintain or repair the motor vehicle” without discrimination. Information could include safety alerts, recalls, service bulletins and any adjustments needed to maintain vehicle safety and efficiency.
The bill also would require vehicle manufacturers to offer consumers, dealers and service repair facilities any tools and equipment needed for the diagnosis, service, maintenance or repair of a vehicle at a reasonable cost. The bill also would allow aftermarket manufacturers to make tools similar to those made available by vehicle manufacturers to authorized dealers.
By including independent repair facilities and consumers in its wording, the Right to Repair Act would protect consumers from a possible vehicle repair monopoly, the AOCA said.
The legislation also would provide car makers with protections for their trade secrets, requiring them to make available to the independent vehicle repair market only the same diagnostic and repair information they provide to their franchised dealers.
"I think most motorists would agree that they should not be forced back to the dealer for any service, particularly something as simple as an oil change,” Stump said. “Passage of the Right to Repair Act would ensure that all automotive repair facilities, including quick lubes, remain competitive so that car owners can conveniently and affordably have their vehicles serviced at the shop of their choice.”
The Right to Repair Act has bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. The Senate version of the bill was introduced in March and is currently with the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. The House previously introduced its version of the bill in April 2009. It was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
For more information about the Right to Repair Act, visit the Library of Congress or the Right to Repair Coalition.