Right to Repair

[Commodore]

California and many other states have right to repair laws that apply to automobiles. California's require that diagnostic tools and and other vehicle specific tools be offered to independent repair facilities. At this point only the dealer can reset service reminders. That would appear a violation of California law. Below is ChatGPT's summery of California's Automotive Repair Act. Does anyone on the forum own an independent repair shop or have a friend that does? It would be great if a shop could contact Ineos and get pricing and availability on their diagnostic equipment.

California's Right to Repair laws for automobiles are part of the California Automotive Repair Act, ensuring transparency, consumer protection, and access to necessary information for maintaining and repairing vehicles. Here's a summary:

1. Consumer Protection and Transparency​

• Written Estimates: Automotive repair shops must provide a written estimate before performing repairs.
• Customer Authorization: Repairs cannot proceed without the customer's explicit approval of the estimate.
• Itemized Billing: Repair shops must provide a detailed invoice, including labor, parts, and additional fees.
• Return of Replaced Parts: Upon request, consumers are entitled to receive any replaced parts for review.

2. Access to Diagnostic Data​

• California supports the Right to Repair Act, requiring manufacturers to provide independent repair shops with access to vehicle diagnostic and repair information.
• Manufacturers must also ensure compatibility with off-the-shelf diagnostic tools.

3. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) vs. Aftermarket Parts​

• Repair shops must inform consumers about the use of aftermarket or non-OEM parts and obtain their consent before installation.

4. Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) Oversight​

• BAR enforces compliance, investigates consumer complaints, and mediates disputes between repair shops and customers.
• Consumers can file complaints if they believe a shop violated their rights or misrepresented the scope or cost of repairs.

5. Prohibitions on Unfair Practices​

• Misleading pricing, unauthorized repairs, and unnecessary repairs are prohibited under the Automotive Repair Act.

6. Electric Vehicles and Digital Repairs​

• As vehicles become more computerized, California requires manufacturers to provide software updates, proprietary tools, and digital access to ensure independent repair shops can perform repairs on electric and modern vehicles.

7. Consumer Rights and Remedies​

• If repair shops fail to comply with the law, consumers can report violations to BAR, seek mediation, or pursue legal remedies.

These laws ensure that consumers have choices in auto repair, maintain cost transparency, and protect against unethical practices.

 

[Jackattack13]

It wouldn't shock me at all if they were in violation of these laws. It appears that Ineos is not familiar with these consumer protection laws, and/or they are and are willing to ignore them. This is the first vehicle I have ever heard of that REQUIRES you to use them alone for maintenance.

My experience with my CA Lemon Law process and INEOS is that they are willing to ignore consumer laws. The laws are pretty straight forward when it comes to buy backs, but for some reason they refuse to follow the rules.

I am sure someone could get a lawyer involved in a class action, especially as time goes on and there are fewer excuses as to why the dealerships are the ONLY place to reset service reminders and only they have access to service manuals.

 

[landmannnn]

California and many other states have right to repair laws that apply to automobiles. California's require that diagnostic tools and and other vehicle specific tools be offered to independent repair facilities. At this point only the dealer can reset service reminders. That would appear a violation of California law. Below is ChatGPT's summery of California's Automotive Repair Act. Does anyone on the forum own an independent repair shop or have a friend that does? It would be great if a shop could contact Ineos and get pricing and availability on their diagnostic equipment.

California's Right to Repair laws for automobiles are part of the California Automotive Repair Act, ensuring transparency, consumer protection, and access to necessary information for maintaining and repairing vehicles. Here's a summary:

1. Consumer Protection and Transparency​

• Written Estimates: Automotive repair shops must provide a written estimate before performing repairs.
• Customer Authorization: Repairs cannot proceed without the customer's explicit approval of the estimate.
• Itemized Billing: Repair shops must provide a detailed invoice, including labor, parts, and additional fees.
• Return of Replaced Parts: Upon request, consumers are entitled to receive any replaced parts for review.

2. Access to Diagnostic Data​

• California supports the Right to Repair Act, requiring manufacturers to provide independent repair shops with access to vehicle diagnostic and repair information.
• Manufacturers must also ensure compatibility with off-the-shelf diagnostic tools.

3. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) vs. Aftermarket Parts​

• Repair shops must inform consumers about the use of aftermarket or non-OEM parts and obtain their consent before installation.

4. Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) Oversight​

• BAR enforces compliance, investigates consumer complaints, and mediates disputes between repair shops and customers.
• Consumers can file complaints if they believe a shop violated their rights or misrepresented the scope or cost of repairs.

5. Prohibitions on Unfair Practices​

• Misleading pricing, unauthorized repairs, and unnecessary repairs are prohibited under the Automotive Repair Act.

6. Electric Vehicles and Digital Repairs​

• As vehicles become more computerized, California requires manufacturers to provide software updates, proprietary tools, and digital access to ensure independent repair shops can perform repairs on electric and modern vehicles.

7. Consumer Rights and Remedies​

• If repair shops fail to comply with the law, consumers can report violations to BAR, seek mediation, or pursue legal remedies.

These laws ensure that consumers have choices in auto repair, maintain cost transparency, and protect against unethical practices.

I can't see a specific reference to service reminder reset in this summary. It might be inferred from section 2, but that only covers repair and diagnostics, service reminder is neither of these. I hope you are right though!

 

[Jackattack13]

I can't see a specific reference to service reminder reset in this summary. It might be inferred from section 2, but that only covers repair and diagnostics, service reminder is neither of these. I hope you are right though!

It appears they are in clear violation of section 2 by not providing independent shops with manuals and software to maintain these vehicles.

 

[SkiBum1]

California and many other states have right to repair laws that apply to automobiles. California's require that diagnostic tools and and other vehicle specific tools be offered to independent repair facilities. At this point only the dealer can reset service reminders. That would appear a violation of California law. Below is ChatGPT's summery of California's Automotive Repair Act. Does anyone on the forum own an independent repair shop or have a friend that does? It would be great if a shop could contact Ineos and get pricing and availability on their diagnostic equipment.

California's Right to Repair laws for automobiles are part of the California Automotive Repair Act, ensuring transparency, consumer protection, and access to necessary information for maintaining and repairing vehicles. Here's a summary:

1. Consumer Protection and Transparency​

• Written Estimates: Automotive repair shops must provide a written estimate before performing repairs.
• Customer Authorization: Repairs cannot proceed without the customer's explicit approval of the estimate.
• Itemized Billing: Repair shops must provide a detailed invoice, including labor, parts, and additional fees.
• Return of Replaced Parts: Upon request, consumers are entitled to receive any replaced parts for review.

2. Access to Diagnostic Data​

• California supports the Right to Repair Act, requiring manufacturers to provide independent repair shops with access to vehicle diagnostic and repair information.
• Manufacturers must also ensure compatibility with off-the-shelf diagnostic tools.

3. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) vs. Aftermarket Parts​

• Repair shops must inform consumers about the use of aftermarket or non-OEM parts and obtain their consent before installation.

4. Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) Oversight​

• BAR enforces compliance, investigates consumer complaints, and mediates disputes between repair shops and customers.
• Consumers can file complaints if they believe a shop violated their rights or misrepresented the scope or cost of repairs.

5. Prohibitions on Unfair Practices​

• Misleading pricing, unauthorized repairs, and unnecessary repairs are prohibited under the Automotive Repair Act.

6. Electric Vehicles and Digital Repairs​

• As vehicles become more computerized, California requires manufacturers to provide software updates, proprietary tools, and digital access to ensure independent repair shops can perform repairs on electric and modern vehicles.

7. Consumer Rights and Remedies​

• If repair shops fail to comply with the law, consumers can report violations to BAR, seek mediation, or pursue legal remedies.

These laws ensure that consumers have choices in auto repair, maintain cost transparency, and protect against unethical practices.

There may be waivers for manufacturers selling less than a certain number of vehicles in the state or a ramp in period for new brands to comply. I would be surprised if ineos were in violation of this today having only been in the market for about a year.

 

[Jackattack13]

There may be waivers for manufacturers selling less than a certain number of vehicles in the state or a ramp in period for new brands to comply. I would be surprised if ineos were in violation of this today having only been in the market for about a year.

True. As they may fall into the "Boutique Brands" category. Would be interesting to know.

 

[SkiBum1]

True. As they may fall into the "Boutique Brands" category. Would be interesting to know.

Yes that was my point, I didn’t remember the name of it. I think they are in that bucket for a time right now.

 

[landmannnn]

It appears they are in clear violation of section 2 by not providing independent shops with manuals and software to maintain these vehicles.

It's a shame that the lawmakers didn't use your terms (manuals and software) rather than the much more vague "information"

 

[MattA]

It's a shame that the lawmakers didn't use your terms (manuals and software) rather than the much more vague "information"

No , what is a shame is the blatant lies from the get go about all service information would be freely available to anyone and everyone yet not one customer or workshop can access it

 

[parb]

i thought the california right to repair act only covers household appliances and digital devices. Automobiles are excluded. I went and googled the law (SB244) and i don't see it relating to autos at all.

The only car rights i see are that shops must be registered with BAR, must provide a written estimate, must provide a written description of the job performed.