The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) congratulates its sister organisation, the Auto Care Association, and president Bill Hanvey on their landmark victory in Massachusetts.
This ruling upholds the 2020 Right to Repair law, which requires OEMs to provide independent repairers with access to telematics data. This is a significant step for consumer choice and fair competition in automotive repair.
AAAA chief executive Stuart Charity said this decision highlights the need for urgent reform in Australia. The Motor Vehicle Information Scheme (MVIS) provides world-leading access to service and repair data but excludes telematics.
“Australia has the best Right to Repair legislation globally, and the Federal Government deserves credit for this landmark reform. However, technology has rapidly evolved, and our law must keep pace,” Charity says.
“Modern vehicles rely on telematics to diagnose and repair faults, yet independent repairers in Australia are locked out of this crucial data. The Massachusetts ruling confirms that telematics access is legally viable and essential for a fair repair industry. If we don’t act now, Australian consumers and independent workshops will be left behind.”
Telematics Access Matters
Technology in the automotive sector is advancing at an unprecedented rate. Increasingly, vehicles now receive wireless software updates that impact how key systems operate, meaning repairers need real-time access to vehicle data.
New safety features— including autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control, require dynamic calibration and updates to function correctly. These technologies save lives, and independent repairers must have access to the information to service and maintain these systems for the vehicle’s life.
A simple fix
Unlike in the U.S., updating Australia’s law does not require new legislation. A straightforward amendment to the MVIS Scheme Rules could close the telematics gap.
The AAAA calls on the Federal Government to act now and ensure independent workshops have fair access to repair data for today’s highly connected vehicles.
The changes required to modernise Australia’s Right to Repair law are minimal, yet the industry’s impact would be enormous. Australia has led the world in securing fair access to vehicle data and must continue leading by ensuring the MVIS remains fit for purpose.
The AAAA remains committed to ensuring Australia remains a global leader in Right to Repair and looks forward to working collaboratively with the government and industry stakeholders to bring this legislation up to date.
“We stand ready to assist in this reform process and have written to Minister Andrew Leigh to begin this critical dialogue. Now is the time to future-proof our law and ensure Australian consumers continue to have a genuine choice in vehicle servicing and repair,” Charity says.
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