As of today (July 1), the Motor Vehicle Information Scheme has come into effect, increasing competition and choice for consumers about where they have their cars serviced and repaired.
In the past, only car manufacturers and their affiliated repairers were able to access important service and repair information. This prevented many independent repairers from competing fairly for car servicing and repair work and created additional costs for consumers as well as inconvenience and delays.
“More competition means downward pressure on prices, which means more money in the pockets of Australian car owners”, said Anne Stanley, Federal Member for Werriwa.
“And more importantly these changes will support small business in our area. These hard-working businesses are the life blood of our community providing jobs and support to volunteer groups in sponsorship and in other ways.”
In 2018 Labor campaigned to allow all Australians to freely go to any mechanic they wanted with no barriers.
Cars are becoming more complex, and it is important all mechanics have access to the information they need to be able to repair and service all cars no matter the year they were made.
Ms Stanley’s efforts in this fight has helped the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme become operational from today, giving registered mechanics the knowledge they need to help everyday Australians.
Independent and local mechanics are generally cheaper and closer, which helps both Australians with cars and local businesses in our communities.
Ms Stanley says that many years of campaigning will finally have paid off, and that this is a small step in helping the cost-of-living crisis people are experiencing.
“The ACCC will act as an independent umpire to ensure access to information, as well as costs, is fair and reasonable,” she said.
The ACCC will have the power to enforce a maximum penalty of $10 million to ensure the Scheme works as intended and mechanics get the information they need.
