Upholding the Right to Repair at Our German Auto Repair Shop
Just like you, your vehicle may find itself a little under the weather from time to time and ensuring it gets quality treatment is vital. The health of your vehicle is an absolute priority and you may worry that an independent German auto repair shop won’t have access to the systems and tools that manufacturers use via dealership service facilities. It’s common knowledge that the manufacturers know best and you just have to swallow their exorbitant prices, right? Wrong. Enter the “Right to Repair” Act – the repair of your German auto using the best tools and methods has been democratized.
What Is the “Right to Repair” Act?
Understandably, vehicle manufacturers have always had access to the most recent and advanced diagnostic and repair tools because these tools are developed during the vehicle production process. These tools were guarded like trade secrets and only manufacturer dealerships were granted access to them. This practice put independent auto repair shops at a significant disadvantage and allowed manufacturer dealerships to essentially monopolize repair jobs – of course a vehicle owner would rather have taken their car to the manufacturer dealership if it meant the repair would be performed with better tools. The dealerships were acutely aware of this and jacked up their prices accordingly, knowing that vehicle owners would not want to bear the risk of a sub-standard repair at an independent repair shop.
How times have changed. In 2014, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and Association of Global Automakers signed a memorandum honoring the “Right to Repair” agreement and in doing so, improved the rights of motorists in Florida and all across the United States.
Today, the Act requires that all independent auto repair shops have access to the same diagnostic and repair tools used by manufacturer dealerships and software interfaces must be non-proprietary to allow wide-spread ease of use. These tools and related software have become increasingly important as braking, air-bags, steering mechanisms and other important vehicle functions are largely computerized and would almost be a “black box” to a vehicle repair shop without the appropriate tools. This unprecedented transparency means that the playing field has been levelled and the vehicle owner is the one who ultimately benefits the most.
How Does the Act Affect Me?
You can now rest assured that your German auto will be repaired using the latest and best diagnostic tools regardless of whether or not you take it to a manufacturer dealer. A reputable shop won’t charge you an arm and a leg either and this is where the Act really benefits you as the consumer. In the past, you were almost held hostage by the dealership and they could charge whatever they liked for a service that could not be obtained elsewhere. The Act has allowed competition to flourish and the invisible hand of the market has brought prices back to equilibrium.
To top it all off, the Magnuson – Moss Warranty Act also offers you protection when choosing where to repair your vehicle. Dealers can no longer void your precious warranty just because you made the smart choice and had your vehicle repaired at a respected independent German auto repair shop instead of an overpriced dealership.
Get in Touch with a German Auto Repair Shop
So, next time your German work of auto engineering needs a visit to the doctor, consider the implications of the “Right to Repair” Act. At Foreign Affairs Motorsport, we have access to the latest and greatest diagnostic tools that are used by the manufacturer dealerships and because we’re family owned and managed, we’ll give your vehicle the tailored attention that it deserves. Contact us today at 954-746-0488 if you’re serious about your vehicle’s health.