Following on from the official European Launch to journalists at the Equip Auto Show in Paris on 30th October the UK campaign was presented to journalist from the Trade Press at a press conference held at the Institute of Engineering and Technology in London. Representatives from across the European automotive aftermarket have joined together in a bid to save their industry, the livelihoods of the 3.5 million people who work within the 665,000 businesses in it, and ultimately consumer choice. The Right to Repair Campaign has been created by the independent automotive aftermarket in response to potential changes in legislation in Europe that could drive all repair work into the vehicle manufacturers’ franchised dealerships. The current Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation includes sector-specific rules on competition, but this expires in 2010 and unless it is renewed and improved, leaves scope for the manufacturers to make it increasingly difficult for the independent repairer to diagnose and fix faults.

The campaigns spokesman and strategy group member Peter Coombes, said: “It is the responsibility of the policy makers to uphold consumer rights and ensure that healthy competition exists. With these basic rights in mind, we have created Right to Repair, as without full and fair access to technical information, multi-brand diagnostic tools, replacement parts and training, the independent repairers will no longer be able to provide motorists with the quality services and parts they need to care for vehicles. “

He adds: “The Right to Repair Campaign calls for vehicle manufacturers to make the information required available to all in order to maintain a competitive market and the right of the independent aftermarket operators to service and repair vehicles”

“This is not necessarily a fight with the vehicle manufacturers and their franchised dealerships. It is in the interest of the vehicle manufacturer to have the consumer satisfied with his brand throughout its life and it is in the interest of the dealers to be able to work on other marques of vehicle which they receive in part exchange for a new vehicle or to give them the opportunity to develop their business into an all makes service provider”.

“The survival of the entire independent aftermarket chain is at risk – repairers will be driven out of business, distributors will lose their clients, tools and parts producers will lose their independent aftermarket business, employees will lose their livelihoods – and our campaign unites everyone involved in the industry in the UK to safeguard our futures.”

There is plenty of evidence of Vehicle Manufacturers ‘getting round’ the current regulations (the beep and park sensors are a safety device and therefore it is legitimate for the manufacturer to withhold technical information meaning that a repair can only be made by a dealership, the headlight is a high cost item that has a resale value and therefore there is a security implication meaning that if replaced the vehicle needs to be sent to the main dealer for a security re-set, etc.).

The campaign has received a number of communications from independent garages where they or their customers have been given wrong information (the warranty is invalid because a non original filter has been fitted (even though the filter in question was the OE filter with the after market brand), under block exemption regulations a garage can’t repair vehicles if they are not VAT registered (absolute rubbish which was quoted by a manufacturer and their franchised dealer) and the list will no doubt grow.

Independent repairers are encouraged to visit the website www.r2rc.co.uk and report instances where they feel they have been the victim of misinformation or where they haven’t been able to complete a repair because the technical information was unavailable. Each instance will be investigated and if found to be true will be publicised, used to build the R2RC case and will be reported to the European Commission for investigation under current legislation.

Ahead of the launch was positive news that the European Commission has adopted four decisions that legally bind DaimlerChrysler, Toyota, General Motors and Fiat to commitments to provide technical information about car repairs to all independent garages in the EU. Failure of these businesses to comply with this directive may lead the Commission to impose fines of up to 10% of a company's turnover.

Immediately following the press launch the UK campaign received a significant boost with confirmation of both financial and practical support from a significant sector of the industry.

The momentum of the campaign is starting to gather.