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 the automotive industry?

The automotive aftermarket is a key driver of the U.S. economy: ​

  • providing nearly $500B in revenue, we represent over 2% of the nation’s GDP. ​

Your job depends on it​

  • And so do the jobs of your 4.5M brothers and sisters in the aftermarket. Nearly 900,000 of those jobs are automotive technicians, the same amount by the way, as doctors and police officers. ​

  • American families depend on you​

  • We keep over 292M registered motor vehicles driven by the nation’s 228M licensed drivers on the road safer, longer​

Drivers need affordable and convenient access to repair​

  • 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. ​

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

  • Independent repair shops comprise 75% of the nation’s service bays (infographic stat)​

  • The automotive aftermarket provides over 250,000 retail locations to buy parts and over 270,000 repair facilities across America, even in rural locations. ​

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

  • Because 77% of vehicles on U.S. roads are older than 7 years and the average vehicle is 12 years old, most owners of these cars would choose an independent repair shop due to the cost savings and convenience. ​

  • 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) ​

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)​

What happens if we don’t get it?

  • We’ll lose the ability to innovate and create new solutions for drivers that enhance safety and mobility​

  • We’ll lose a fair playing field and the ability to compete and provide choice for the consumer – a basic right ​

  • Costs for repair will skyrocket and hurt our local communities.​

  • Our businesses, and our livelihood will be harmed. ​