Articles

Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports states in the May 2008 issue, more than 71% of Americans are very satisfied with vehicle service done in independent repair shops than new care dealers (only 53%). Congress introduced the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act (H.R. 2694), ensuring car owners the continued right to chose who will repair their vehicles.

President and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) Kathleen Schmatz states, “As evidenced by the Consumer Reports study, millions of car owners trust the independent repair shops to provide affordable and competitive automotive repair service." "It is important that these neighborhood repair shops have the same access to safety alerts and repair information as the new car dealer network.  If motorists are forced back to the dealer for service and repairs, particularly if there is no dealership in their area, consumer choice will be severely compromised, and convenient and affordable auto repair will become a thing of the past."

With the increasing sophistication of vehicles and computer control and monitoring of virtually every system, keeping these vehicle systems in safe operating condition requires servicing with ample access to complete and accurate data and information from the car companies. The Right to Repair Act’s legislative intent is to offer protection for the consumer and owner of motor vehicles. This act will make withholding information necessary to diagnose, repair or service motor vehicles by the vehicle manufacturers illegal.

"The fact is that there aren't enough dealerships in all the right places to keep every motor vehicle serviced, repaired and operating safely," continued Schmatz. "Passage of the Right to Repair Act will level the competitive playing field, ensuring that car owners can conveniently and affordably have their vehicle serviced at the repair shop of their choice, whether it's their neighborhood repair shop or a franchised new car dealer."