Law driving change
BETTER vehicle service and repair outcomes for owners are being sold as the benefits of federal government legislation before parliament.
Independent repairers would receive repair and service information currently only pushed out to dealers under a mandatory scheme that would be created if the legislation becomes law.
The scheme, expected to start from July next year, is set to apply to passenger and light goods vehicles manufactured from 2002, and promote competition among the automotive sector, but it will require independent repairers to pay for information.
Manufacturers who don’t comply with the scheme could face fines up to $10m.
Independent repairer and South West Autohaus owner Gareth Toddun, who has a focus on German vehicles at his Geelong West business, said while most manufacturers shared information, more was needed.
“The benefit for independent repairers is making sure that the customer is getting away with a properly repaired car in the most timely manner. The biggest benefit (of the proposed laws) is to the customer,” Mr Toddun said.
“There’s plenty of customers out there that are happy to buy their cars from the manufacturer but just don’t want to service with them.”
Mr Toddun said Mercedes Benz was notorious for not sharing information with independent repairs.
“Mercedes Benz don’t share anything at the moment and they are not bound by any sort of law to do it,” he said.
“They have removed service books from their vehicles. It’s all online and they refuse to allow access to thirdparty repairers to even log services.”
Federal assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar said if passed, the legislation was due to put more service and repair information in the hands of 3500 independent service and repair companies nationwide.
“Currently, around one in 10 vehicles taken to repair workshops are affected by a lack of access to service and repair information,” Mr Sukkar said.
“When this is the case, it results in higher costs for consumers because there is little choice as to where a vehicle can be repaired.
“We need a strong service and repair industry to keep Australia’s 19.8 million vehicles on the road.”
Victorian Senator Sarah Henderson, based in Geelong, said consumers would benefit from operators being able to access servicing and repairs in a fair, competitive market.
“Independent operators have been asking for a fair go,” she said.
Senator Henderson said if passed, the legislation would put repairers in a stronger position to assist their customers.
The government wants the legislation to pass parliament as soon as possible.