Keep Independent Garages in business - Sign the “Save the OBD” petition

August 03, 2017

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Petition is now Closed

The future of the OBD connector, the small communication device that allows independent garages access to vehicle diagnostic data, is under threat, because of changes to EU vehicle type approval legislation. Without an OBD, the independent garage would find it much more difficult to diagnose and repair cars and franchised dealers would have an unfair advantage. If cars are allowed to be made with no OBD connector the consequences are serious. Independent garages, motor factors and many other motor trade companies would be under severe threat. It would also mean service and repair prices would rise and customer choice would be diminished. Petition is now Closed

To stop this from happening please take a few moments to sign our Save The OBD petition and put pressure on your MEP to ensure the independent aftermarket has easy and economical access to the diagnostic information it needs.

The independent automotive aftermarket in Ireland and across Europe is currently facing a huge threat to its future, as it views the very real possibility of new cars being produced without OBD connectors. The development would mean that vehicle manufacturers would effectively have a monopoly on vehicle diagnostic data and independent garages would only be able to access information such as fault codes and diagnostic readings through manufacturer controlled servers, if at all.

Currently vehicle makers are compelled to include an OBD connector by EU Type Approval regulations. However, new rules relating to type approval are currently being discussed and as it stands, they do not include an obligation on vehicle manufacturers to provide an OBD connector.

The consequences of no OBD connectors on cars is extremely serious for every company in the aftermarket. If independent garages cannot easily access vehicle data, it will upset the balance of competition in the market and give the franchised dealers an unfair advantage. This could have a dramatic impact, not only on independent garages but also motor factors, aftermarket part suppliers and manufacturers, equipment suppliers and many other motor trade businesses. The very future of these businesses would be under great threat and with it some 3.5 million jobs in 500,000 companies across Europe, with many of these companies playing a vital role in their local community.

The impact on competition would also be dramatic. Currently the independent aftermarket serves 284 million motorists in Europe and without a strong independent sector, prices for vehicle service and repair would certainly rise, while less consumer choice would also impact on the level of service on offer.

This is a very real and genuine threat and one that every aftermarket company in Ireland needs to be aware of. The motoring public also needs to know the importance of maintaining this small but essential communication tool.

Please do not sit back and assume that the current status quo on the connector will be maintained. Pressure needs to be applied to your local MEPs to ensure that the future of the OBD connector and the independent aftermarket is maintained.

To assist, Autobiz has organised a petition on this issue. Please take the time to sign the petition. Your name will then automatically be added to the petition list for the relevant MEP. Please also encourage your colleagues, suppliers, customers, friends and family to also sign.

Remember - Protect the OBD Connector and Protect the future of the Independent Garage.