One Thing We're Talking About: National right-to-repair legislation reintroduced

A bipartisan right-to-repair bill was reintroduced by a Florida congressman requiring vehicle owners and independent repair shops the same access to repair and maintenance tools and data as franchised dealerships.

The legislation — titled the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair Act — would mandate all tools and equipment, wireless transmission of repair and diagnostic data and telematics systems needed for vehicle repairs be made available to independent repair facilities. The bill was introduced in 2022, but no action was taken before Congress adjourned for the year.

The REPAIR Act is supported by influential automotive aftermarket and repair industry representatives, including MEMA Aftermarket, Auto Care Association and Specialty Equipment Market Association.

In addition to U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn, a Florida Republican, the bill is co-sponsored by an Ohio Republican and Democrats from Pennsylvania and Washington. Dunn said "consumers deserve options" when repairing their vehicles.

The bill is opposed by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents major automakers in the U.S. It said it has long supported "consumer choice for vehicle repairs." Other opponents said independent repair shops already have access to everything they need to diagnose and repair a vehicle.

Both sides have spent millions to either push or fight the legislation in Washington, D.C., and in states such as Massachusetts and Maine. But a study last year by research and consulting firm Ducker Carlisle showed national and state right-to-repair bills will inevitably be approved so automakers should stop wasting their money.

The study showed franchised dealerships wouldn't necessarily lose customers to independent shops. Instead, consumers will take their vehicle where they receive the best price and service regardless of any legislation on the books.