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Consumer Reports

Why Congress is considering a 'right to repair' law for car owners

By Consumer Reports * Published August 15, 2023 * Updated on August
15, 2023 at 5:16 pm

  
NBC Universal, Inc.

When your 'check engine' light comes on, you might not know what's
wrong, but your automaker does--and it doesn't have to share that
information with you. Wireless technology allows automakers to be the
gatekeeper of your car's information. There's a bill in Congress that
will change that. A few states already have similar laws. It's known
as the "right to repair."

Right to repair is supported by organizations like Consumer Reports.
It gives customers information about their vehicle. That way,
consumers have a choice on where to go for repairs. Leaders with the
Auto Care Association say having options saves money.

"Through our research and surveys we have conducted, the cost of
repair is, on average, 36% less in the independent aftermarket rather
than the dealership," said Bill Hanvey, the president and CEO of the
Auto Care Association.

The National Automobile Dealers Association opposes the right to
repair. In a statement on its website, it says aftermarket companies,
like repair shops, "gain access to automakers' proprietary
information," which it says can create "new privacy, vehicle security
and safety risks."

The security issue is kind of a red herring. Repairs shops just need
the data required to fix your car; they're not rewriting the car's
software. What's really dangerous is people driving unrepaired cars
because they can't afford to take them to the manufacturer.

NADA says necessary information to repair vehicles is already
available, but service techs tell Consumer Reports it's not enough
and is confusing.

The right-to-repair issue goes beyond cars. You can run into the same
problems when trying to fix your electronics. To read more about
that, head to the Consumer Reports website.

This article tagged under:

Consumer Reportsvehiclescars
   

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