United States. A new report presented by the Car Coalition reveals the growing difficulties consumers face due to high repair costs and limited access to affordable parts.
The report, titled "High Costs, Hard Impacts: The Consumer Struggle with Rising Vehicle Repair Prices," highlights the implications of rising repair prices at a time when consumers are facing increasing economic challenges.
The CAR Coalition, a grouping of independent auto parts, management and repair companies, associations and insurers, also warned of the need for federal legislation that protects consumers' right to repair their vehicles affordably.
The analysis, produced by Depth Services, LLC in collaboration with the Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA), delves into the implications of the REPAIR Act and the SMART Act. The report concludes that, without proper legislation, consumers will continue to see an increase in vehicle repair costs, especially affecting those who rely on affordable repair options.
- Advertising -"Repair restrictions on cars continue to drive up prices at a time when Americans can least afford it ... As the automotive industry develops, policies on these issues must do so as well. It's time for Congress to get serious about solutions, including passing the REPAIR Act, to ensure consumers have options for quality, safe, and affordable vehicle repairs," said Justin Rzepka, executive director of the CAR Coalition.
The report lays out the following key findings:
- Urgent need for policies that protect consumer rights and promote fair competition.
- The economic and social importance of reliable transport.
- The emotional and psychological toll of dealing with the current reparations ecosystem.
- The evidence is clear: more competition, transparency, and consumer choice would not only reduce costs, but also improve the quality of life for millions of American drivers.
Edward Salamy, executive director of ABPA, expressed concern about the current situation: "The findings of this report make it clear: rising repair costs and parts monopolies are severely affecting consumers. Drivers across the country are struggling with inflated repair bills and delays that could be avoided if we had a truly competitive market for replacement parts."
The report underscores the need for a competitive and transparent market for spare parts, which could significantly reduce costs and improve the quality of repairs.
The REPAIR Act
The REPAIR Act seeks to ensure vehicle owners' access to essential repair and maintenance information, allowing independent repair shops, parts manufacturers, and aftermarket service providers to continue to offer high-quality and affordable services. Given the increasing complexity of modern vehicles, including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), telemetry and software-driven diagnostics, the legislation addresses concerns about equitable access to information needed for repairs.
The main provisions of the REPAIR Act include:
- Consumer Choice and Access: Ensures vehicle owners, independent repair shops, and parts manufacturers have access to diagnostic data, tools, and software needed for safe maintenance and repairs.
- Fair competition: Prevents automakers from monopolizing information and repair services, allowing independent companies to compete on a level playing field.
- Cybersecurity and security protections: Ensures that access to vehicle repair data is secure and does not compromise vehicle safety or cybersecurity.
- Safety and Compliance: Ensures access to critical repair data and tools needed to properly calibrate and restore brake systems, ADAS technologies, and other essential safety features, returning vehicles to their operational specifications and complying with federal vehicle safety and emissions laws.
The CAR Coalition and ABPA are urging passage of the REPAIR Act to protect consumers, reduce repair costs, and foster a fairer and more competitive marketplace.
