NFIB supports S829/A230, the “Motor
Vehicle Owners’ Right To Repair
Act”. This legislation would require motor vehicle manufacturers to
provide vehicle owners and repair facilities information necessary to diagnose,
service, or repair a motor vehicle. The information will include information
necessary to integrate replacement equipment into the vehicle and any other
information of any kind used to diagnose, service, repair, activate, certify,
or install any motor vehicle equipment in a motor vehicle.
Vehicle models built
after 1994 are equipped with computer systems that control the repair
information for vital functioning systems such as: air bags, brakes, ignition
keys, oil levels, tire pressure, climate controls, transmissions, fuels
injection systems and more. However, only dealerships have access to these
computer codes, forcing most consumers to return to the car dealership for these
types’ of repairs.
Car repair businesses
are being excluded from providing this service, which hurts small businesses
and consumers. The passage of S829/A230 will bring more business to non-dealer repair shops and will create more options for motorists.