OPINION:
For many Americans, the frustration of getting a car repaired today isn’t just the cost; it’s also the lack of choice.
Drivers who have relied on the same neighborhood mechanic for years are increasingly hearing a new answer when they bring in a car with a problem: We can’t fix that here.
Modern vehicles rely on complex software, diagnostics and vehicle data that independent repair shops often can’t access. When that happens, drivers are forced to take their vehicles to the dealership, where repair costs are typically far higher and options are far fewer.
It’s no surprise that auto repair bills have climbed sharply in recent years, but what’s driving those costs isn’t just inflation or supply chains. In many cases, it’s a system that steers consumers toward manufacturer-controlled repair networks by limiting access to the information needed to fix modern vehicles.
That’s why the “right to repair” has become one of the most important consumer issues in Washington.
The principle behind it is straightforward: If you buy a product, then you should have the right to decide who fixes it.
Yet increasingly, manufacturers control not just the vehicle itself but also the data and software needed to service it. When only one repair channel has the keys to that information, competition disappears and prices rise.
Legislation such as the bipartisan REPAIR Act aims to fix that problem by ensuring vehicle owners and the independent mechanics they trust have access to the repair information, software and tools necessary to service modern cars safely. The goal isn’t to weaken cybersecurity or undermine intellectual property; it’s simply to ensure that consumers (not manufacturers) decide where their vehicles are repaired.
The idea resonates across the political spectrum.
A national survey conducted by the Tarrance Group shows the breadth of that support. Nearly every car owner surveyed, 99%, said it is important to be able to choose where their car is repaired, and 94% said choosing who repairs it matters to them.
After hearing a brief description of the legislation, 85% of car owners supported the REPAIR Act.