What is Right to Repair?

“There are some vehicle brands that require a scan tool to put your windshield wiper blades into service mode just to replace them,” said Dwayne Myers, co-owner of Maryland-based Dynamic Automotive, which has seven locations across Frederick County. “Every system in a vehicle today is connected through modules and networks.”

Appearing in a video about the REPAIR Act on the Auto Care Association’s YouTube channel, Myers explained that even routine maintenance items, like wipers and brakes, may become impossible for independent repair outlets. Consumers who rely on local shops and mechanics for service will be forced to take their vehicle to the dealership. “If the door is shut on that information, our technicians cannot do their magic and get the car fixed,” Myers said.      

Also known as Right to Repair, the bipartisan REPAIR Act (H.R. 1566, S. 1379) requires manufacturers to provide consumers and independent shops access to the same vehicle-generated maintenance data as their dealership network. 

An acronym for Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Repair Industry, the act, reintroduced in early 2025, includes provisions for software and tools, meaning consumers and independent shops would have access to those items just as a dealership would. Under the REPAIR Act, automakers cannot act as “gatekeepers” of maintenance information and tools as a means to sway consumers toward their dealer franchises.

Although most automakers have operated under a voluntary agreement since 2014 to provide independent shops with the information and tools they need to service their customers, Right to Repair advocates say the landscape has changed and that a federal mandate is necessary. For example, as vehicles become increasingly connected and software-focused, maintenance data stored in the cloud is harder for independent shops to obtain, barring intervention from something like the REPAIR Act. This “monopolizing” of information forces consumers to the dealership, limiting competition and raising the cost of vehicle maintenance.

“When you boil it down, Right to Repair is a straightforward concept that asserts that if you own a product, you should be able to service it wherever and however you choose,” said Lisa Fauche, senior vice president of government affairs and general counsel for the Auto Care Association, adding that the legislation extends to a multitude of consumer products, from phones to dishwashers. “It doesn't make manufacturers bad people as it's just their business model, but in an automotive context, it’s a critical piece of legislation in an era where affordability is at the top of every American's mind.” 

Also known as Right to Repair, the bipartisan REPAIR Act (H.R. 1566, S. 1379) requires manufacturers to provide consumers and independent shops access to the same vehicle-generated maintenance data as their dealership network. 

An acronym for Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Repair Industry, the act, reintroduced in early 2025, includes provisions for software and tools, meaning consumers and independent shops would have access to those items just as a dealership would. Under the REPAIR Act, automakers cannot act as “gatekeepers” of maintenance information and tools as a means to sway consumers toward their dealer franchises.

Although most automakers have operated under a voluntary agreement since 2014 to provide independent shops with the information and tools they need to service their customers, Right to Repair advocates say the landscape has changed and that a federal mandate is necessary. For example, as vehicles become increasingly connected and software-focused, maintenance data stored in the cloud is harder for independent shops to obtain, barring intervention from something like the REPAIR Act. This “monopolizing” of information forces consumers to the dealership, limiting competition and raising the cost of vehicle maintenance.

“When you boil it down, Right to Repair is a straightforward concept that asserts that if you own a product, you should be able to service it wherever and however you choose,” said Lisa Fauche, senior vice president of government affairs and general counsel for the Auto Care Association, adding that the legislation extends to a multitude of consumer products, from phones to dishwashers. “It doesn't make manufacturers bad people as it's just their business model, but in an automotive context, it’s a critical piece of legislation in an era where affordability is at the top of every American's mind.” 

The REPAIR Act is pending before the Energy and Commerce Committee of the United States House of Representatives as part of the Highway Reauthorization Bill. “We are proud that Right to Repair is 100 percent bipartisan with both Republican and Democratic co-sponsors,” Fauche said.

Among the general public, Right to Repair is seen in a positive light. According to a summer 2025 survey commissioned by the CAR Coalition, 98% said it's important for them to pick where they take their vehicle for service. Nearly 90% said vehicle owners should have access to their vehicle’s data, while 78% said independent shops should have access to any data necessary for repairs. 

At the ballot box in two U.S. states, voters have gotten behind Right to Repair measures. Nearly 75% of voters in Massachusetts supported a Right to Repair initiative in 2020, while 84% of voters in Maine supported it in 2023. 

Along with the potential for increased maintenance costs, longer wait times are another possibility absent the REPAIR Act. Those who depend on a truck for their livelihood may need to contend with additional downtime if their independent service facility of choice encounters issues. 

For example, an Auto Care Association study found that 63% of independent repair shops experience bottlenecks making routine repairs on a daily or weekly basis due to manufacturer restrictions. In that same survey, half of independent shops send up to five vehicles per month to the dealer due to data restrictions. 

Right to Repair also benefits the many DIY enthusiasts who consider the off-road and overlanding communities a second home. Alongside the REPAIR Act is the SMART Act, a measure that calls for patent reforms to allow the aftermarket to produce parts that are equivalent to and less expensive than OEM parts. The SMART Act gives DIY mechanics more options when shopping for parts, while the REPAIR Act grants them access to the appropriate scan tools for performing diagnostic work themselves when needed.

Scanning the QR code shown here takes you to a form where you can add your name in support of Right to Repair. Likewise, through the REPAIR Act’s official website, you can send a pre-populated message to your local legislators voicing your support for the measure. The website also has pre-written social media posts with hashtags you can copy and paste to help raise awareness. 

As Fauche explained, while Right to Repair addresses issues like consumer choice and free-market competition at a high level, it also considers the individual communities that make vehicle ownership an enjoyable hobby.

“If you can’t get in there and turn the wrenches, we risk losing the truck culture that readers of RealSource™ enjoy each day,” she said. “We need to preserve the ability to work on your truck. It’s as simple as that.”  

What does the REPAIR Act do?

If passed, the REPAIR Act would require automakers to grant vehicle owners and independent repair facilities access to the same maintenance data, tools, and software as their dealers. Supporters say without a measure like the REPAIR Act, manufacturers can force consumers to their dealers for service, limiting choice and raising prices.

How much can I save with Right to Repair?

While there is no exact figure, Right to Repair advocates say that if passed, the REPAIR Act would expand consumer choice, increase competition, and thereby lower prices. A figure on the REPAIR Act’s official website states that vehicle owners spend 36% more on repair costs at the dealership on average than at an independent shop.

Is Right to Repair legal in my state?

Right to Repair is neither legal nor illegal per se. Instead, it currently lacks the federal mandate that supporters are seeking to make it a law across all 50 states. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, most automakers have operated under a voluntary agreement since 2014 to provide independent shops with the information and tools they need to service their customers. The REPAIR Act, if passed, would make that mandatory rather than voluntary.