Some things along this line have been mentioned here before but this is , I believe a new twist.
The link option on this text box is not working for me today
Well maybe it is 
A lot of misinformation in that article.
I still have yet to see one valid complaint about an independent auto shop or DIY’er who has actively been denied access to repair information or tooling (with the exception of certain security and anti-theft systems).
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I had a hard time following exactly what the dispute is about. As long as manufacturer makes the samee repair info available to their dealerships to the car owner, electronically, for a fee, seems that’s all that is necessary. Are the manufacturers saying the won’t do that anymore?
If so, customers interested in buying a new car can always refuse to buy from that manufacturer. When I purchased my Corolla new. as part of the deal I insisted it come with the factory repair manual. Dealership agreed, but refused to pay the cost of the book, So as a compromise they sourced the manual and I paid. Around $125 at the time as I recall.
Ugly, indeed. Regardless of the merits on both sides, Subaru and Kia taking it out of buyers is really bad business. Are buyers truly given full disclosure of the crippled features and is the price discounted? I smell reduced sales and a possible class-action suit.
If I understand this correctly, it was that if the repair included non-OEM parts, the car would not operate, because the computer sensed it.
I’ve also heard that some systems require a code be put in that only an authorized dealer would have.
In either case, it means that only certain people using certain parts can actually repair a car.
That would violate the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
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I believe that Volvo requires special software called VIDA to adjust some settings on their 2000’s cars, or perhaps diagnose some issues. I think that indie mechanics need to use a “hacked” version of VIDA.
You also need to pay to download software updates for things like enabling fog lights on a car that didn’t come with it or changing locking or headlight behavior.
Edit: I stand corrected, Volvo does sell a subscription to vida, but if you wanted to use it for free you need a hacked version. You also need a special connector which is $500 from Volvo, but unofficial ripoffs are cheaper.
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You have just proven my point. With the exception of certain security/anti-theft devices, any independent shop or car owner is fully free and able to purchase whatever they need to service and repair a customer’s or their own car.
So the question is not whether it’s available, but if you want to buy it. The question is not about access it’s about money. And every indy repair shop that has ever told a customer that the car needed to go to the dealer because “only the dealer can do this repair” is lying. Instead the shop should be saying “we don’t want to invest in the tooling to do this job.” Which, by the way, is a perfectly acceptable thing to tell a customer.
Look at it this way, if your car needs a new alternator and you want to replace it yourself, you will have to buy tools and equipment to do it. If you want to replace and program your Body Control Module, you will have to buy the tools and equipment to do it. Same difference.
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that makes sense. The only things that don’t make sense is that the special software is required to pull some more obscure codes that obd2 readers can’t or reset certain airbag lights (to my knowledge). (Diagnostic tools should be freely available to indie mechanics Imo)
Also the cost may be excessive for the VIDA hardware (DICE) because there’s an exclusive license/knowledge from Volvo to make it. Granted $500 isn’t going to be a ton for a mechanic shop, but for a diyer it shouldn’t be a necessary cost.
Finally, they charge for some dumb reasons like downloading a software update to change how the lights flash when the car is locked, etc. Or to enable the built in fog light power connectors on a car that didn’t come with fog lights originally .
Actually , Volvo charges $70 for a 3 day subscription to VIDA. I didn’t expect that to be the cost, but I don’t think it’s realistic for a DIYer.
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They are freely available, but they are not free. Nor should they be. It’s just a tool like any other. Should every car come with a free ratchet and socket set too?
Doing so repairs the car, doesn’t it? It stands to reason that when a mechanic repairs a car he charges you for it, no?
Come on now. Yes, I realize the cost of eggs is going through the roof and that $70 can buy a week of groceries for someone. But in automotive terms $70 is pocket change. The corner garage is now charging north of $140/hour for labor, with dealerships close to $200. A quart of oil costs $9. $70 for 3-day access is entirely reasonable.