National Independent Automobile Dealers Association Supports Passage of Right to Repair Act

Cites new GAO report:  Used car dealers do not receive defect notices from manufacturers

BETHESDA, MD--July 12, 2011: The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA), a national trade association representing independent automobile dealers, strongly urges Congress to pass the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 1449) on behalf of its over 20,000 members.  

"NIADA believes that all vehicle service, repair and recall information should be made available to consumers and all facilities that sell vehicles or pursue repair opportunities, and should not be restricted to just those who are affiliated with a manufacturer," said Michael R. Linn, CEO of the National Independent Automotive Dealers Association (NIADA). "The new report from the GAO makes clear why passage of the Right to Repair Act is imperative. Used car dealers and consumers who buy used cars are at the mercy of the manufacturers when it comes to finding out if a vehicle they are selling or buying has been under recall or has been repaired because of a recall. Passage of the Right to Repair Act would ensure equitable access to this type of information so all parties involved are aware of a vehicle's history."

According to the new report from the General Accounting Office (GAO), used car dealers do not generally receive the defect notices from vehicle car manufacturers that are sent to their franchised dealers. With a record 14.9 million vehicles recalled in 2010 according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this lack of shared recall information adversely affects the number of vehicles repaired and compromises the safety of vehicle owners, passengers, other drivers and pedestrians.  

Vehicles are becoming increasingly sophisticated with virtually every system either monitored or controlled by computers, and servicing these vehicle systems to keep them in safe working condition requires ready access to complete and accurate information from the car companies. The Right to Repair Act simply requires vehicle manufacturers to make available at a reasonable cost the same non-proprietary diagnostic, repair and recall information they provide to their franchised dealers.

"With millions of cars recalled last year alone, it's clear that requiring the disclosure of vehicle recall and repair information will have a positive impact on the safety of American drivers," continued Linn. "We encourage our members and all motorists to visit Right to Repair to send a letter to each of their congressional representatives, urging them to support the Right to Repair Act."

About Right to Repair:
The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (H.R. 1449), which was introduced by Reps. Edolphus Towns (D-NY) and Todd Platts (R-PA), would require car companies to make the same service information and tools capabilities available to independent repair shops that they provide to their franchised dealer networks. The legislation further provides car companies with strong protections for their trade secrets unless that information is provided to the franchised new car dealers.  The bill clarifies the responsibilities of the Federal Trade Commission in enforcing the bill's requirements.