Right to Repair is a movement and a set of laws aimed at guaranteeing vehicle owners and independent repair shops the same access to diagnostic data and repair tools that dealerships get. It is one of the most important stories in American automotive news right now.
Where it started
In 2012, Massachusetts became the first state to pass a right-to-repair law for vehicles, forcing manufacturers to share service data with independent shops. In 2020, Massachusetts voters approved a ballot measure by a 75% margin expanding the law to cover wirelessly transmitted telematics data. Maine followed with a similar law in 2023.
What is happening at the federal level in 2026?
In May 2026, the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act (H.R. 7389), which partially codifies the 2014 memorandum of understanding between automakers and independent repair organizations into federal law. The bill requires manufacturers to give independent shops access to the same diagnostic and repair information provided to authorized dealers.
It is worth noting that the broader version of the REPAIR Act, which would have covered wireless telematics data access more fully, was narrowed during committee negotiations. The topic remains contested between automakers and independent repair advocates.
Why this matters for drivers
- More choice of shop: without restricted access to diagnostic data, customers are not limited to dealership service alone
- Lower repair costs: competition between authorized and independent shops tends to bring prices down
- Faster access to parts: independent shops can source the right components more easily with full access to specifications
What it means for independent shops
The average vehicle age in the US is now approaching 13 years, and cars keep getting more technologically complex. Shops that invest in modern diagnostic tools and stay current on data-access regulations will be best positioned to serve the growing fleet of older, more advanced vehicles on the road.
At Motoro, we highlight shops that invest in modern diagnostics, whether they are authorized dealers or independent repair shops.