Access to vehicle repair information: the debate continues

VACC is working with the state MTAs and the industry national body, the Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA), to develop a national accreditation scheme to move the debate on access to vehicle repair information a step closer to resolution.

For many years, the debate around the fair access to vehicle repair information for the consumer has been contentious and there have been several initiatives that have tried to find a solution, but all have failed. The basic argument rests on ensuring that consumers have fair access to their vehicle’s information, including repair information. Having this access will allow the consumer to exercise their choice of where they get their vehicle serviced and repaired.

Access to vehicle information should not be an argument that pits dealers or independent mechanical repairers against one another, it’s about a consumer’s ability to fairly determine where they want their vehicle repaired. Whilst an industry-wide agreement does not exist on access to repair information in Australia, VACC Executive Director, Geoff Gwilym says, “The agreement, and the signatory codes that accompany it, have failed miserably in delivering a consumer benefit. In fact, since the signing of the Code in 2014 there has been almost no movement of vehicle repair information in the market, which suggests it has not achieved its objectives.”

Taking a balanced approach to this issue, VACC recognises that vehicle manufacturers and dealerships make significant investment in a vehicle’s technology, it’s brand and customer service. Given this investment, VACC takes a view that independent repairers should meet a set of standards to protect the manufacturers’ brand and should not expect vehicle data to be given freely to the market.

“It looks as though the development of a national industry accreditation program could be the magic bullet that helps the manufacturers release their repair data, including fault and re−initialisation codes,” Mr Gwilym says.

Approaches have been made to the Australian Automotive Dealers Association (AADA) and the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) to regroup around the table to develop an improved process. Mr Gwilym says, ʺIt would be more beneficial for the industry to work collaboratively on a workable national system for the access of repair information and particularly given the heightened attention this issue is receiving by government and the ACCC.”

In closing Mr Gwilym argues, “I am not even sure if the release of repair information will make any real difference to where a consumer takes their vehicle. It’s likely new-vehicle owners will continue to return their vehicles to a dealership, with older vehicles moving out to independent repairers. The difference is, consumers will have more choice and that’s something they have learnt to expect as part of their decision-making process.”