I’m seeing ads all over social media about automotive right to repair making bogus claims like:

“Automakers are ‘locking you out’ of fixing your vehicle.”

“Independent auto repairers can’t ‘get the information’ to properly fix or service your car.”

Or, “automakers are ‘hoarding’ tools from repairers to ‘control’ the auto repair market.

This would freak me out, too – if it were true.

My family and I have run an independent auto repair business for more than 30 years. At my shop in Redmond, Wash., I’ve worked on every make and model out there.

In fact, my family-owned business is certified to make repairs by more than 10 automakers.

Our business focuses on collision repair, but that includes everything from AC service and alignments to structural repairs and ADAS diagnostic work.

We’ve put cars back together after every type of damage, from scratches and dents to major collisions, and those vehicles leave our shop repaired correctly, as the customer authorized, using the right tools and with all the safety sensors and systems restored and calibrated.

And in those three-plus decades, I’ve never had an issue getting exactly what I needed to properly repair a vehicle for my customer. That’s just not a problem that exists.

Even as cars get more digital and rely on software and high-tech computing power, repair instructions, tools and diagnostic codes are still easily available – not just to dealers but to independent repairers like me, too.

So, what‘s happening? 

Big parts sellers and giant insurance companies got behind a bill in Washington called the REPAIR Act requiring automakers to provide direct access to your vehicle’s data and driving systems.

They claim this is necessary repair information. It’s not.

My business repairs 1,800 vehicles every year, and I have access to the data, information and systems I need to do a proper repair – without the REPAIR Act.

They call it ‘right to repair’ but what big chain parts and service companies really want is to influence or control your decisions.

For example? Access to your dashboard screen and a chance to sell you things using ads based on your driving history or location (sort of like how search engines target you with ads based on your Google searches).

Besides making me uncomfortable, it’s entirely unnecessary for me to repair your vehicle.

What happens if that vehicle location data gets out in the open where anyone can use (or misuse) it? Could the information be sold? Could the onboard computer be hacked? Who is liable when that happens?

I sure hope it isn’t an independent repairer like me – especially since I don’t need the data in the first place.

The REPAIR Act gives extra power to insurance companies to impose the installation of untested, foreign-made or counterfeit parts made to imitate the look of genuine automaker parts.

Supporters even say on their website that the REPAIR Act will “guarantee vehicle owners can get the parts, tools and information they need to choose aftermarket parts…”

I can’t tell you how many fights I’ve had with big insurers after a customer tells me they want a genuine manufacturer part (just like it came from the factory). The insurance company tells me they won’t pay for anything other than the cheaper or untested aftermarket part while denying the necessary diagnostic procedures.

This is already a big problem, and I’m usually the one who has to explain the obvious safety concern to my customers.

Meanwhile, those same insurers can use access to the private driving data required by the REPAIR Act to set your rates.

When you see these scary posts on Facebook, remember this really boils down to money, control, privacy and safety.

There’s money (lots of it) to be made on your vehicle data and from forcing the use of insurance company dictated parts.

And if you don’t want to use insurance company parts or you want me to follow the manufacturer repair instructions, it could cost you. You’ll pay for those items over and above your deductible.

If there needs to be a law addressing repairs, it should look like this: Treat dealers and independent repairers the same.

Protect vehicle owners’ personal information and prevent it from getting into the hands of people who shouldn’t have it.

Guarantee vehicle owners are entitled to safety and get to choose the parts that go into their car and how the car is repaired.

That’s not the REPAIR Act. But it is the right to repair.