The Auto Care Association announced on February 25, 2025 that Congress has reintroduced bipartisan auto right to repair legislation. If you've been following this issue, you've seen versions of this bill come and go before. But this one is worth paying attention to, because the context around it has changed.
What the Bill Does
The core principle hasn't changed: the bill would require automakers to give independent repair shops and vehicle owners access to the same repair data, diagnostic tools, and information that franchised dealerships receive.
That means if your car needs a software update to fix a transmission issue, an independent shop should be able to perform that update — not just the dealership that sold the car. It means diagnostic data generated by your vehicle shouldn't be locked inside a manufacturer's proprietary system, inaccessible to anyone who didn't sign a dealer franchise agreement.
In practical terms, the bill would stop automakers from using data access as a competitive weapon against independent repair providers.
What's Different This Time
Previous versions of this legislation stalled for a few reasons. Automakers lobbied hard against it, raising cybersecurity concerns — arguing that opening data access would expose vehicles to hackers. Those concerns, while legitimate in the abstract, were largely a delay tactic. The industry has had years to develop secure, standardized access protocols. Maine's state law already requires them.
What's changed in 2025:
State-level momentum is real. Maine's law took effect in January 2025. Massachusetts has been fighting this battle in court for years. Multiple other states have active legislation. Congress is now dealing with a patchwork of conflicting state laws, and that creates its own pressure for federal uniformity.
The repair industry is better organized. The Auto Care Association represents over 150,000 businesses — shops, parts suppliers, mobile mechanics, jobbers. They've gotten better at making the economic case: the independent auto repair industry employs about 575,000 people and generates hundreds of billions of dollars in economic activity. That's a constituency that politicians notice.
Consumers have been paying the price. Repair costs have climbed sharply over the past several years, partly because dealer monopolies on certain repair types face no competitive pressure. Lawmakers who hear from constituents about repair bills have a reason to act.
Why It Matters for Independent Shops and Mobile Mechanics
Independent shops and mobile mechanics have been quietly squeezed for years as vehicles get more computerized. It's not just about pulling codes anymore — modern vehicles require proprietary software tools, manufacturer authorization for certain procedures, and access to over-the-air update systems that automakers have been slow to share.
If this bill passes, independent providers get real, enforceable access. That's more competition, which is good for consumers. It also means a skilled mobile mechanic isn't blocked from doing a job simply because the OEM decided to gate that repair behind a dealer-only software system.
What to Watch
Bipartisan support is encouraging but not a guarantee. The bill still has to survive committee, get a floor vote in both chambers, and avoid being watered down by industry lobbyists in the process.
The Auto Care Association is pushing for swift action. If you want to help move it along, contact your representatives and tell them you support it. Consumer voices matter in this fight — they always have.
We'll be tracking this legislation as it moves. For now, know your rights when you walk into any repair facility by reading our Avoiding Scams guide, and find a vetted independent shop or mobile mechanic through our Find a Mechanic directory.