The European Garage Equipment Association says it has received little satisfaction from the majority of car makers following a circular letter and two reminders it sent them following its talks with the EC's competition authorities last July.

Those who replied, says the organization, recommended the purchase of their proprietary diagnostic scan tools. The EGEA is now vowing to defend independent repairers' interests by pushing for manufacturers' compliance with the BER in respect of supplying diagnostic data to independent manufacturers of scan tools. It does not however confirm how it expects to force manufacturers' compliance.

Coincidentally, A US Republican Senator last week introduced to the Senate a companion bill to one launched earlier in the US Congress – The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act. It is specifically concerned the availability of technican data in respect of vehicles equipped with on-board computers that control the repair, service and parts replacement information on all systems of the vehicle, such as: transmissions, air bags, brakes, ignition, ignition keys, steering mechanisms, climate control, some oil changes and anti-theft devices.

Without this information, complains the Coalition for Auto Repair Equality that pushed for the legislation, “motorists of all economic backgrounds are forced to return to the car dealerships in order to have their vehicles "completely" repaired and parts replaced.”