Insurer RACQ has supported calls for motorists to have more rights to select where they service or repair their vehicles, saying it’s a win-win not just for car owners but also for the independent servicing and repair industry.
The federal government recently released a consultation paper which examined the establishment of a mandatory code of conduct that provides independent repairers fair access to vehicle repair-and-service information.
“Vehicle manufacturers typically restrict diagnostic-and-repair information to their network of authorised dealers, so motorists are currently very limited to where they can seek help – often at times when they need it most,” said Steve Spalding, RACQ head of technical and safety. “For motorists, this change will put them back in the driver’s seat and allow them to make an informed choice about where they get their car fixed. Meanwhile, independent repairers would be better able to compete with the dealer networks in offering servicing and repairs on late-model vehicles. It’s something we’ve long lobbied for and we hope we’ll see it come to fruition in the future.”
The paper also proposed the establishment of a service-and-repair information-sharing advisory committee that will serve as the primary body the government would refer to for advice on motor vehicle repair and service information and related issues.
Stakeholders may lodge their submission until March 11. For more information about the consultation process, visit the Australian Treasury website.
