Independent service specialists, backed by the RMI, are threatening legal action against Porsche Cars GB over access to diagnostics information. The repairers accuse Porsche of refusing to supply vital diagnostics data for servicing the 996 and Boxster models, despite repeated requests.

Jonas Zambadikes, owner of JZ Magtech in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, claims the sportscar importer is hiding behind the “smokescreen excuse” of intellectual property rights. The RMI member, one of the largest Porsche repairers in the country, has written to the manufacturer asking for an explanation.

“We are having problems getting hold of diagnostics information and tooling for anything electrical,” says Zambadikes. “We keep getting promises from Porsche that they will supply the information but when we place the order we get refused.”

Kiaran Payne, at Camtune in Godalming, Surrey – a Porsche specialist for 20 years – says the carmaker is putting the company's future in jeopardy. Camtune issued a solicitor's letter to Porsche six weeks ago but says it is still waiting for a reply.

Porsche Cars GB insists there are issues over copyright and says all requests for diagnostics data have been passed on to Germany. However, Bob Hood, the RMI's director of the independent garage division, called the situation “untenable” under the revised block exemption regulations.

“Rules are rules, and if they are broken we will take the necessary steps to inform Brussels, where we have strong contacts,” says Hood.