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Automotive
In recent years, the new car has come to represent not only a modern means of transportation, but also a computer on wheels. Equipped with sensors, software, and electronic control modules, today’s vehicles require complex digital diagnostics that were previously performed with simple tools and workshop expertise.
But this advancement comes at a high cost for small repairers. Independent repair shops across the country report increasing difficulty in repairing modern models, since a lot of technical information, fault codes and unlocking systems are restricted by the automakers themselves. Without full access, many mechanics must resort to dealerships to complete repairs that were previously routine.
Mechanic Agnaldo, owner of a medium-sized workshop, says that even with modern scanners, he still has to pay annual fees in euros to access electronic diagnostics for certain brands.
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Each software update or code release depends on the automaker’s authorization, which makes the service more expensive and limits the competitiveness of smaller workshops.
“I have to pay every year to get the access code and unlock the car’s system. If I don’t pay, the scanner simply won’t work,” he explains.
According to him, the cost of these packages can exceed the value of several average repairs per month.
For small workshops, this expense is unfeasible., which ends up excluding professionals from the market and concentrating technical power in the hands of automakers.
The scenario is repeated in different cities across the country. José Roberto, owner of a neighborhood workshop, says he had to return a vehicle to the dealership after failing to solve an electronic problem.
“The scanner identified the code, but didn’t allow access to the fix. Only the manufacturer’s system could authorize the repair,” he reports.
Cases like this have become common, especially in vehicles with digital injection systems, emission sensors and safety modules.
Diagnostics require encrypted reading, and without the digital key provided by the manufacturer, the workshop cannot complete the repair.
The result is a more expensive service for the consumer and an increasingly closed market for independent repairers.
The automakers claim that restrictions on access to technical information serve to protect vehicle security systems, avoiding manipulations that could compromise the electronic and digital integrity of the cars.
However, industry experts say that this control also has an economic impact, as it limits competition and makes free maintenance difficult.
The discussion about the so-called “right to repair” movement that defends free access to repair information is gaining strength in several countries.
In Brazil, there is still no specific regulation, but mechanics and repairers associations They push for laws that guarantee fair access to technical data and software, arguing that consumers should be able to choose where to have their vehicle repaired.
As the automotive industry moves towards increasingly smart and connected cars, small workshops are at risk of disappearing, stifled by costs and technical barriers.
The repair of a new car which previously depended on a good mechanic, now also depends on login, password and digital authorization.
For many professionals, the future of the sector depends on a change in attitude: or the assemblers open part of the technical information, or the automotive maintenance chain will be restricted to large groups, reducing jobs, competition and consumer autonomy.
And you, do you still trust the repair of your new car to the local garage or do you believe that current models have left that in the past?
I talk about technology, innovation, oil and gas. I provide daily updates on opportunities in the Brazilian market. I have published over 7.000 articles on the websites CPG, Naval Porto Estaleiro, Mineração Brasil and Obras Construção Civil. Any suggestions for topics? Send them to brunotelesredator@gmail.com
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