Consumers will face even higher costs without federal legislation that protects their right to choose how to repair their vehicles
Washington, D.C.—A new report based on consumer surveys focuses on the REPAIR Act and the SMART Act. It argues that in the face of rising costs and restrictions on auto repairs, consumers will face higher costs without federal legislation that protects their right to choose how to repair their vehicles.
“Repair restrictions on automobiles continue to drive prices higher at a time when Americans can least afford it,” said Justin Rzepka, Executive Director of the CAR Coalition. “As the auto industry develops, policy surrounding these issues must as well. It’s time for Congress to get serious about solutions, including passing the REPAIR Act, to ensure consumers have options for quality, safe, affordable auto repairs.”
The analysis was produced by Depth Services, LLC, in collaboration with the Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA).
“The findings on this report make it clear: rising repair costs and parts monopolies are hitting consumers hard,” said Edward Salamy, Executive Director of the ABPA. “Drivers across the country are struggling with inflated repair bills and delays that could be avoided if we had a truly competitive market for replacement parts.”
Households making less than $50,000 annually were more likely to still be paying off their repair costs six months or more after the initial incident, according to the report.
The REPAIR Act safeguards vehicle owners’ access to essential repair and maintenance information, ensuring independent repair shops, parts manufacturers, and aftermarket service providers can continue to offer affordable and high-quality services.
With the increasing complexity of modern vehicles, including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), telematics, and software-driven diagnostics, the legislation addresses growing concerns and existing barriers regarding fair access to repair information.
Survey data showed that 44% of respondents experienced delays in their repair, and 41% reported repairs taking three weeks or more. Many survey participants shared stories of repair timelines stretching far beyond initial estimates, creating immense inconveniences.
Delays of several weeks or even months were common, often due to backorders. The availability of parts, exacerbated by market practices that limit part sources, significantly contributes to delays.
Interviewees voiced concerns about the ever-increasing costs of car repairs, emphasizing the importance of having access to affordable, quality alternative parts. Explanations centered around the importance of competitive markets for driving down prices and providing consumers with options.
Regarding right-to-repair legislation, interview participants stressed the need for independent shops to have equal access to parts. They highlighted how this would not only introduce competition and drive down prices but also give consumers more control over their repair option.
Despite almost half of our survey respondents being unaware of the right-to-repair legislation like the REPAIR and SMART Acts, 75% said they would “definitely” or “probably” support legislation that protects the right to access affordable collision repair parts and services; only 1% reported they would not be amenable to this legislation.
Read the full report here.
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