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Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act Introduced in U.S. Senate

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 1 -- David Parde, president of the Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE), has today announced a major step forward for motoring consumers with the introduction of SB 2138, The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act, into the U.S. Senate. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced SB 2138 on Thursday evening, February 26, 2004.

SB 2138 is the companion legislation to HR 2735, The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act, re-introduced by U.S. Representatives Joe Barton (R-TX) and Edolphus Towns (D-NY), in July 2003. HR 2735 has, as of today, 85 cosponsors, including Reps. Barton and Towns. The House Bill is assigned to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Vehicles that are 1994 and newer (and some earlier models) are equipped with on-board computers that control the repair, service and parts replacement information on all systems of the vehicle, such as: transmissions, air bags, brakes, ignition, ignition keys, steering mechanisms, climate control, some oil changes and anti-theft devices. Without this information, motorists of all economic backgrounds are forced to return to the car dealerships in order to have their vehicles "completely" repaired and parts replaced.

Both HR 2735 and SB 2138 allow motorists to choose where, how and by whom to have their vehicles repaired and whose parts they wish to purchase, even allowing "do-it-yourselfers" to work on their own vehicles. HR 2735 and SB 2138 do not restrict motorists from choosing car dealerships, nor do they drive motorists into the independents.

"This is a win-win legislation for all consumers who wish to exercise their rights on their own property, this time their vehicles. The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act allows the maximum number of vehicles to be repaired and serviced as quickly and as efficiently as possible," stated Parde.

Added Parde, "We look forward to working with Sen. Lindsey Graham in order to pass this ground-breaking legislation."

The Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE) represents companies in the automotive aftermarket, among them: NAPA, Midas, CARQUEST, AutoZone, Advance Auto, Jiffy Lube, O'Reilly's Auto Parts and CSK Auto (parent company of Checker, Schucks, Kragen). Five million people are employed in the automotive aftermarket in over 495,000 locations.

I guess I am a little confused. What is currently forcing car owners back to the dealerships? Obviously for warranty work you have to go to the dealer, but that seems reasonable. Other than that I have never seen anything preventing car owners from going wherever they want for repairs.

It's up to the home mechanic or independent to have the correct tools and knowledge to complete the repair properly. Yes, now the correct tools include a computer, but my 86 GTi requires dozens of VW Special Tools to complete various jobs.

Again, I'm all for getting your car repaired wherever and by whomever you want. I just don't see where the problem is today.