One of the biggest reasons car owners face challenges when it comes to repairing electrical components like their display control units is because they’re often told that fixing certain issues might cost thousands of dollars. Dealerships tend to not mention how some repairs are very easy to do, and often suggest replacing an entire component instead, even though it might not be necessary. This is why the right to repair is so important for car owners.
The History of Right to Repair
The concept for the right to repair movement first appeared around the early 1920s but gained momentum in the early 2000s, because this was when electrical components started becoming a staple in cars. During this time, manufacturers started restricting access to diagnostic tools and repair information, which forced consumers to get their repairs done at a dealership at a high cost.
The movement’s first major win happened in 2012 when the first automotive right to repair law in the United States was passed in Massachusetts. This law forced car manufacturers to share repair manuals and diagnostic tools for their cars with everyone (including third-party repair shops), not just dealerships.
The Information Gap: What Dealerships Don’t Tell You
What a lot of car owners don’t know is the fact that dealerships profit from the lack of information. They often don’t let car owners know just how easy or affordable certain repairs can be when done DIY or through a third-party repair shop.
For basic repairs, independent repair shops usually charge around $80 to $120 per hour, while dealerships charge an average of $150 per hour. For slightly more complex maintenance services like oil changes, dealerships might charge $400, while independents charge around $250. Of course, the cheapest option is always to perform maintenance and repairs yourself.
Research shows that around 40% of customers get overcharged for car repairs, with nearly nine out of 10 survey respondents believing they’ve been overcharged at least once. This often happens because dealerships push for full replacements when interchangeable car parts could solve the problem at a fraction of the cost.
The Example of DCU Repairs
Nowhere is the price gap between dealerships and DIY solutions more evident than in the case of DCU repairs. If you contact a dealership about a malfunctioning infotainment system, they’ll likely quote you $4,000 to $5,000 for replacement. They’ll suggest a full replacement even if a DIY fix is possible.
What dealerships don’t tell you is that the most common cause of DCU failure in cars is a corrupted microSD card (a component smaller than 2 centimeters that costs under $12). Third-party repair services can fix these issues for $200-$400, including diagnostics. For even bigger savings, DCU repair kits are available for under $200 and can be installed in 2-4 hours with basic tools. This could potentially save over $3,800.
Why This Information Gap Exists
Manufacturers tend to control the repair market by restricting access to diagnostic tools and repair information, individual components, and programming and calibration software.
Independent mechanics struggle to work on modern cars because repair guides and diagnostic tools are not shared to the public. Individual components like pre-programmed SD cards often aren’t available through manufacturers. This severely limits independent mechanics’ ability to perform custom DCU repairs on a specific model of car. This control creates a situation where consumers have no meaningful alternatives to expensive manufacturer-authorized service, unless they have access to DIY repair kits.
Making Informed Repair Decisions
Understanding your right to repair allows you to ask better questions and possibly seek alternatives that might be more suitable for your needs. When you receive an expensive repair quote, you could consider asking for specific details about what part actually failed, not just what needs to be replaced. You can also consider getting second opinions from independent repair shops, who often have lower overhead fees and more transparent pricing.
Always try to find DIY options for common failures where possible. This lets you save plenty of money on services like collision repairs and malfunctioning infotainment systems. Knowing what you can do on your own and where you can acquire the tools to perform basic fixes lets you keep costs down and empowers you to take control of your car’s repairs and maintenance.
The right to repair isn’t about forcing everyone to become their own mechanic. It’s about ensuring you have the choice as well as the information necessary to make those choices wisely.
Conclusion
The right to repair movement is a shift in consumer protection. It challenges the old system where companies control not just the product you buy, but also how and where you fix it.
When a dealership quotes you thousands for a repair that costs hundreds at an independent shop, that’s a problem of information asymmetry, not just a simple price difference. This information gap is what the right to repair movement is trying to minimise. Knowing your rights and understanding your options lets you make repair decisions that help you, rather than just following what companies tell you to do.
The next time you receive a hefty repair quote, remember: you have the right to know what’s broken, look at other options, and choose what works best for your wallet and needs.
