Does Your Auto Technology Cost You?

Whether it is in-car navigation or voice-activated systems, nowadays cars are getting more advanced and displaying computer technology. Although most of the new auto technology is made for making our lives more comfortable and convenient but it can really become a reason for stress and headaches when the time comes to take the car to a mechanic.

An article published in MSNBC says that some auto repair shops have to turn down jobs and direct customers to more expensive auto dealers because they are short of money to buy the costly special equipment required to fix the advanced latest cars.

The electronics and computer control almost every function of the vehicle from the emissions to the ignition keys, this makes minor faults hard to detect and repair. The website of Right to Repair Coalition says that this latest technology provides car manufacturers and opportunity to force car owners to limit the number of places they can get service for their vehicles to repair dealer shops.

Access to reasonable repairs is the base for the Right to Repair Act, Rep. Edolphus Towns introduced a bipartisan bill that would require automakers to provide him same information and service and tools to independent auto dealers and customers that are received by dealership service centers. This law ensures that the vehicle owners have a variety of options to select from at the time when their vehicles need repairs.

A study published by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association says that vehicle repairs at car dealers cost an average of 34 % more as compared to an independent repair shop, it costs customers an extra 11.7 billion dollars each year.

However, automakers argue about the problems that extend beyond cheap repairs because they spend millions to do research and development and are not interested in giving away their intellectual property for free.

Since April, the Right to Repair bill was stalled in the House Committee. It has already 51 sponsors but it is not clear if or when the committee will vote on this bill.