Auto Repair Data Reveals Right to Repair Coalition's Tale to be a Clunker

BOSTON--The New England Service Station and Automotive Repair Association (NESSARA), the leading organization representing independent auto repairers in Massachusetts, reaffirmed results showing the so-called “Right to Repair” bill, S. 2268, is completely unnecessary.

“Massachusetts auto repair businesses have filed, in all, a total of 16 such requests since 2005, only 9 of which have been filed since January 2009. If the Massachusetts repair industry is only filling approximately 3 requests per year, how big can this supposed information and tooling problem be?”

The Right to Repair Coalition claims that independent repairers cannot service vehicles properly because the necessary diagnostic information is not available. But frankly, that is not true. Even the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), a heavily involved member of the Right to Repair Coalition’s efforts in Massachusetts based in Bethesda, MD, whose more than 23,000 members and affiliates, manufacture, distribute and sell motor vehicle parts, accessories, service, tool, equipment, materials and supplies reported one complaint for every 550 repair shops that the organization represents.

“I just can’t understand how this Right to Repair Coalition can claim that there is this major problem for independent repair businesses in getting repair information when AAIA’s own data doesn’t support their position,” said Roger Montbleau, President, NESSARA.

The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) is a not-for-profit, no-dues task force established to facilitate the identification and correction of gaps in the availability and accessibility of automotive service information, service training, diagnostic tools and equipment, and communications for the benefit of automotive service professionals. NASTF is a voluntary, cooperative effort among the automotive service industry, the equipment and tool industry, and automotive manufacturers.

“Since December 2004, in the entire United States there have been a total of 291 information requests filed on the NASTF website www.nastf.org. Of the requests filed, manufacturers responses resulted in 227 solutions, 58 were determined to be invalid, meaning the complaint did not relate to missing information, and the remaining 6 are currently being reviewed” said Matthew LeLacheur, Executive Director, NESSARA. “Massachusetts auto repair businesses have filed, in all, a total of 16 such requests since 2005, only 9 of which have been filed since January 2009. If the Massachusetts repair industry is only filling approximately 3 requests per year, how big can this supposed information and tooling problem be?”

The data from AAIA and NASTF is consistent with NESSARA’s own investigation and findings that access to service information and tooling is not the problem. The Right to Repair Coalition is promoting something that is just plain wrong. “The legislation is premature, at best, and appears to be, totally, unnecessary. Actually, it is disrupting what our industry needs to be focused on, which is proper training and education. If this bill or similar legislation passes, it will be challenged and end up in litigation, and for what? What will the impact on the industry be? Our livelihood depends on motor vehicle repairs. We have a responsibility to speak out, strongly against this legislation” said Montbleau.

About NESSARA

NESSARA, the New England Service Station and Automotive Repair Association, began in 1973 as the Bay State Gasoline Dealers Association of Massachusetts. This non-profit organization was formed to help protect the rights of service stations during the Oil Embargo of the mid 1970's. In 1992, the Bay State Gas Dealers Association of Massachusetts merged with the Tri State Gasoline Dealers of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont to form what is now the New England Service Station and Automotive Repair Association. Our members consist of Service Stations, Auto Repair Facilities, Convenience Stores, Auto Body Shops, and other automotive related businesses throughout New England.