Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act of 2001

The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act of 2001 (H.R. 2735) would require car manufacturers to provide vehicle owners and independent repair shops with the same diagnostic and repair information available to franchised dealerships. This includes technical specifications and software data necessary to identify and fix mechanical issues, which would be made available through a uniform system on the internet.

For everyday citizens, this bill aims to increase competition by ensuring that car owners are not forced to visit expensive dealerships for specialized repairs. By granting independent mechanics access to essential repair data, the legislation seeks to provide consumers with more choices for service and potentially lower maintenance costs. While the bill mandates the sharing of repair information, it includes protections to ensure manufacturers do not have to disclose proprietary trade secrets or interfere with federal emissions standards.