A Commission investigation found that inadequate access to the full range of technical information could drive independent repairers from the market. It found that the agreements between the carmakers and their authorised repairers would therefore infringe EC Treaty rules on restrictive business practices.

The resulting reduction in competition between car repairers could lead to less choice and higher prices for consumers, said the EC. It argues that independent repairers are often cheaper than authorised outlets, sometimes by over 50%.

All four manufacturers have made commitments to make the technical data available and the EC says that the move ‘should spur manufacturers of other brands to look hard at their own practices as regards the provision of technical information’. A breach of the competition rules could result in fines of up to 10% of a company’s turnover being imposed.

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