The REPAIR Act (H.R. 906) has reached 56 bipartisan co-sponsors in the House. More than 114,000 petition letters have been sent to Congress in support of it. That's not nothing — and if you care about where you can take your car for service, this matters to you directly.
What the REPAIR Act Would Do
Right now, automakers control access to the diagnostic and telematics data your vehicle generates. When a sensor trips, when your transmission shifts incorrectly, when a system throws a code — that data is increasingly locked behind manufacturer systems that only dealerships and approved networks can fully access.
Independent repair shops — the ones that have fixed your car for decades — are getting frozen out as vehicles become more software-dependent. The REPAIR Act would change that by requiring automakers to make vehicle repair data available to independent shops and consumers on fair terms.
Specifically, it would:
- Require automakers to provide access to on-board diagnostic and telematics data
- Allow vehicle owners to direct that data to the shop or mechanic of their choosing
- Prevent manufacturers from using software locks to force dealer-only repairs
- Create a level playing field between dealerships and independent shops
The Numbers Behind the Movement
The support for this legislation isn't manufactured. According to surveys conducted in connection with the campaign:
- 94% of vehicle owners say they want the right to choose where their car is repaired
- 75% say they support legislation that protects that right
- More than 114,000 petition letters have been sent to Congress pushing for passage
The co-sponsorship is notably bipartisan — which matters for a bill that's been stalled. Rural voters depend on independent shops. Urban consumers want price competition. This isn't a partisan issue.
Why It Matters for Independent Shops and Mobile Mechanics
Independent repair shops and mobile mechanics are already feeling the squeeze. Newer vehicles often require manufacturer-proprietary scan tools to complete certain repairs or clear certain codes. A shop that can't fully diagnose a vehicle loses the customer to the dealer — not because the dealer does better work, but because they have exclusive data access.
"The question isn't whether your mechanic is good enough. It's whether they're allowed to do the job."
Mobile mechanics face this even more acutely. Without the same equipment infrastructure as a fixed shop, accessing locked telematics data can be nearly impossible.
What You Can Do
Contact your representative. The REPAIR Act has broad public support, but it needs floor time. The Auto Care Association has a simple petition tool to send a letter to your specific Congress member.
EthicalMechanic.org believes your car, your data, and your choice of mechanic should stay yours. The REPAIR Act is the clearest path to making that true in an era of connected vehicles.
Fifty-six co-sponsors is progress. Passage is the goal.