The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has successfully prompted Mazda, Kia, and BYD to improve access to service and repair information for independent vehicle repairers. This change follows separate investigations by the ACCC under the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme (MVIS).

The MVIS mandates that vehicle manufacturers must provide necessary service and repair information to all Australian repairers at reasonable commercial terms. The ACCC's investigations revealed that independent repairers faced high costs and barriers in accessing this information, often requiring expensive equipment that could cost thousands of dollars.

In response to the ACCC's findings, Mazda Australia has committed to enhancing its compliance with the MVIS by allowing independent repairers to access diagnostic information through commonly used devices, rather than requiring a specific Mazda device. Additionally, Mazda is offering refunds to independent repairers who overpaid for access to this information.

Kia has introduced a new program enabling independent repairers to access its diagnostic hardware and software for a daily fee of $136, a significant reduction from the previous upfront cost of approximately $9,780. Similarly, BYD has implemented a daily access option for $140, down from a monthly fee of $600 or an outright purchase price of $14,719.60.

The ACCC's investigations highlighted that all three manufacturers were not fully compliant with the MVIS requirements, prompting them to revise their access offers. This improved access is expected to enhance competition among repairers and provide consumers with more choices for vehicle servicing.

The MVIS was established to foster competition in the automotive service and repair sector, ensuring that consumers benefit from competitive aftermarkets. The ACCC continues to prioritize the protection of small businesses under competition and consumer laws.