Massachusetts passed the first US state automotive right-to-repair law via a 2020 ballot measure, requiring manufacturers to give independent shops and owners access to the same wireless diagnostic and repair data available to dealers. Separately, major automakers signed a national memorandum of understanding in 2023 with independent repair and aftermarket groups, extending similar data-access commitments across most of the US without a federal law being required. A federal REPAIR Act has been introduced in Congress but has not yet passed, so protections still vary meaningfully depending on state law and manufacturer commitments rather than one uniform national rule.
At a glance
| Development | Status |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts right-to-repair law | In effect since 2020 ballot measure; data-access rules apply in-state |
| National automaker MOU (2023) | Voluntary industry commitment covering most of the US |
| Federal REPAIR Act | Introduced in Congress; not yet passed into law |
| EU/UK equivalent rules | Access largely governed via separate EU vehicle type-approval and data-access rules |
What 'right to repair' actually means for cars
The core issue is data access: modern vehicles increasingly diagnose and even authorize repairs through onboard telematics and software, and if only franchised dealers have the tools and data to interpret that information, independent repair shops and owners doing their own work can be effectively locked out — regardless of whether they have the mechanical skill to do the job. Right-to-repair advocacy has focused on forcing manufacturers to make that diagnostic and repair data available beyond the dealer network.
Massachusetts: the state law that started it
Massachusetts voters passed an automotive right-to-repair ballot measure in 2020 (building on an earlier 2012 law focused on physical OBD-II port access), specifically targeting wireless vehicle data — the argument being that as more diagnostic and telematics data moved from a physical port to wireless transmission, the earlier law's protections risked becoming obsolete. The law faced legal challenges from automakers over data-security concerns but has remained a reference point for right-to-repair advocacy nationally.
The 2023 national industry agreement
Rather than face a state-by-state legislative fight, major automakers reached a voluntary memorandum of understanding with independent repair and aftermarket parts trade groups in 2023, committing to provide the same diagnostic, telematics and repair information to independent shops and equipment makers that's available to franchised dealers, across most of the country. It's a significant practical win for independent shops, though as a voluntary industry agreement rather than binding federal law, it carries different enforcement mechanisms than a statute would.
- Voluntary MOU: relies on industry commitment and trade-group monitoring rather than government enforcement.
- Massachusetts law: has actual legal force within the state, with its own compliance and litigation history.
- Federal REPAIR Act: would create nationwide statutory protection if passed, but remains pending in Congress as of mid-2026.
A voluntary industry commitment isn't the same legal guarantee as a state or federal statute — if you rely on right-to-repair access for your business or DIY work, check what protections actually apply in your specific state rather than assuming the national agreement covers every scenario identically.
What this means for owners and independent shops
In practice, independent shops today generally have much better access to vehicle diagnostic data than they did a decade ago, particularly for mainstream service and repair work. Where gaps remain, they tend to show up around the newest, most software-dependent vehicle features (advanced driver-assistance calibration, some EV-specific systems) where manufacturers argue safety or security concerns justify tighter control — an ongoing point of friction as the movement continues.
Where this is heading
Expect continued pressure for a federal right-to-repair statute given the patchwork of state law and voluntary agreements currently in place, alongside parallel debates in the EU and UK over data access tied more broadly to connected-vehicle privacy and competition rules rather than a dedicated 'right to repair' law specifically.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a federal right-to-repair law for cars in the US?
Does the 2023 automaker agreement have the force of law?
Can independent shops access wireless vehicle diagnostic data?
Does right to repair apply outside the US?
Sources & further reading
- Massachusetts Attorney General — Auto Right to Repair
- US Congress — REPAIR Act status
- NHTSA — Safety ratings, recalls & research
Figures, prices and policy details were current at the last-updated date above. Automotive pricing, incentives and regulations change frequently — verify time-sensitive details with the linked primary sources. Read our editorial policy and fact-checking standards.
