Log VM data restrictions, workshops told as UK AFCAR presses UK legislators on block exemption and data access

New form goes live to collect evidence of vehicle manufacturer repair and maintenance data restrictions

Log VM data restrictions, workshops told as UK AFCAR presses UK legislators on block exemption and data access
Image: Bigstock.

A coalition of automotive trade associations and commercial organisations, has produced an online form to allow workshops to log cases of any restrictions to vehicle manufacturer repair and maintenance information as it seeks evidence on infringements around Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulations (MVBER) and the repair and maintenance (RMI) requirements in the vehicle type approval regulation.

Mark Field, UK AFCAR chairman and chief executive of the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF), said: “We’ve responded to the regular communications we’ve had with garages on the difficulty they have in accessing information required to carry out work.

“As part of the intensification of UK AFCAR and IAAF lobbying, we’re pleased to provide a solution to collect data from garages so we can redouble our efforts with UK legislators.”

UK AFCAR says information provided by workshops will be treated in the strictest confidence and will only be used to provide the evidence needed to show a vehicle manufacturer’s non-compliance, or restrictive practices, regarding the requirements of legislation that supports the aftermarket.

Related: UK aftermarket lobbying intensifies

Examples include but are not limited to denial of access to RMI information or data/functions in the vehicle, excessive charges, incorrect information, having to prove competency, having to go to a main dealer to complete the job, or when garages are unable to use aftermarket parts due to the vehicle manufacturer’s restrictions.

IAAF has met with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) over Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (MVBER), which is currently set to expire on 31st May 2023.

The CMA review will assess whether the retained MVBER meets its intended purpose and takes account of specific features of the UK economy serving the interests of UK businesses and consumers, as well as considering the impact of recent developments in technology and industry business models.

Related: Skills shortage to get worse before it gets better, automotive bosses say

The review will also assess the European Commission guidelines that accompany the existing MVBER, namely the supplementary guidelines on vertical restraints in agreements for the sale and repair of motor vehicles and for the distribution of spare parts for motor vehicles.

In May 2021, the European Commission finalised its evaluation phase and concluded that the MVBER remained useful and relevant for stakeholders, but that its effectiveness and coherence could be improved.

The CMA will draw on this evidence from the European Commission’s evaluation to the extent that it is relevant to the UK.

1 Comment

  1. Great but nobody wants to pay anything to have their cars repaired.

    We had one guy in about a month ago, he spent £600 elsewhere they not fixed it, but was our fault that not fixed, and he didn’t want to spend anything. It needed a part that was not replaced when last place changed everything else but.

    We just took one look, decided “needs to go to dealership, now fro”
    Solved that problem.

    Reply

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