In Europe and North America FIA clubs are supporting legislative action to ensure that independent repair and break down services can gain access to vehicle on board diagnostic and control systems that are critical to modern car maintenance.

European motoring clubs have previously won access to repair information clauses in legislation for vehicle emission standards (entitled Euro IV) adopted in 1998 and again in the so called ‘block exemption’ agreement permitting franchised dealerships which came into force in 2002. Now in a new phase of emissions legislation (Euro V) vehicle manufacturers are objecting to proposals made by the European Commission to provide standardised access to technical information for both official dealerships and the independent repairers.

This issue was a key topic in the recent CARS 21 High Level Group Report which, with strong support from the FIA, confirmed the intention of the European Commission to make new legislative proposals in the draft Euro V Directive.

The same issue has been on the agenda in the United States, where the American Automobile Association (AAA) has been lobbying the US Congress about the ‘Right to Repair’. The AAA argues that when someone purchases a car they own both the vehicle and the information it generates. The consumer should be free to choose who can access this data for repair and maintenance.

A closely related problem is access to key codes that some manufacturers will only provide through their dealers. The AAA wants to increase the number of vehicles repaired, rather than towed, at the roadside which is obviously more convenient and less costly for motorists. The Auto Club of Southern California has submitted a Bill to the State Legislature which would require manufacturers to provide the information to registered locksmiths so that immediate attention can be provided.