What is Right to Repair?

Right to repair is the concept that consumers should have the right to repair the products they own and also have access to repair information and replacement parts from manufacturers. Right to repair spans major industries, including phones, computers, agriculture equipment, medical devices, automotive, heavy duty vehicles and more. For our industry, right to repair means that people would have the ability to maintain and fix their vehicles at the repair facility (both independent or dealer) of their choice (including their driveway), rather than having to rely solely on the manufacturer or authorized repair shops to do so. It also ensures that independent repair providers have the same access to repair information and parts as the manufacturers.

Why is this important to me?

American families need affordable options for repair​

  • Destinee Green’s 2013 BMW broke down last year, less than six months after she bought it. A dealership told her that she needed a replacement engine that would cost $19,000, nearly the same as the car’s price when she bought it. Unable to get to her job in human resources at a healthcare company, Ms. Green, 25 years old, started to miss shifts and got fired. She is now behind on payments on the still broken-down car, and the lender has threatened to repossess it. (WSJ, April 2023)​

  • On average, consumers spend 36% more on repair at the dealership then at an independent service shop. (infographic stat). Amid economic inflation and uncertainty, providing affordable repair for drivers is more important now than ever. ​

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Drivers need convenient access to repair​

  • In rural areas, access to a manufacturer preferred facility such as a dealership can be upwards of 2 hours away for a working family. ​

  • What is the cost of a 150 mile tow for an owner-operated HD vehicle? ​

  • Consumers prefer using independent repair shops over dealerships by 2-to-1. (infographic stat)​

  • Drivers deserve the choice of where to maintain and repair their vehicles ​

  • If left with no choice on where to service, consumers will be forced to dealerships where costs are higher, taking an estimated $100 billion from consumers’ pockets. (infographic stat) ​

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To keep the 292 million vehicles on the road safer longer.​

  • Drivers are delaying maintenance on their vehicles at an alarming rate – 21.3% decided to put off repairs on their vehicle in 2021 due to factors such as cost and convenience. (IMR Inc., 2023 Factbook page 77)​

  • It’s your stuff – why shouldn’t you be able to fix it? ​

  • Drivers have rights (rebrand the drivers bill of rights from YCYD) ​