September marks a pivotal moment for Europe's automotive aftermarket. As of the 12th, the EU Data Act came into full effect, fundamentally changing how vehicle manufacturers must handle access to vehicle-generated data.

For the first time, manufacturers will be legally obligated to provide transparency on what vehicle data they have readily available, offer access to both raw and pre-processed data, and crucially - provide free access to vehicle users while charging only fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory fees to data recipients like parts distributors and service providers.

What This Means for the Aftermarket

The implications are significant, though the practical challenges are equally substantial. While parts distributors have new legal rights under the Data Act - able to act both as users and as data recipients - the reality is more complex. Vehicle owners must first grant permission for third parties like workshops or distributors to access their vehicle data. This means we need to find new ways to reach customers and explain the benefits, then navigate individual contracts with each manufacturer.

But as we've learned from previous regulatory changes, what looks good on paper doesn't always translate smoothly into practice. The real test will be whether manufacturers comply with both the letter and spirit of this legislation.

Time for Action

This is where the aftermarket community can come together again. We have a narrow window to test whether the promises of the Data Act will be delivered in practice. Every independent workshop, parts distributor, and service provider should be prepared to exercise these new rights and document any barriers they encounter.

The legislation is only as strong as our ability to navigate its complexities. Rather than directly requesting access from manufacturers, we must work through vehicle owners to obtain the necessary permissions for accessing vehicle-generated data - diagnostic information, usage patterns, and performance metrics that can help improve service quality.

Beyond Data Access

While we cautiously welcome this milestone, we must remain vigilant about other regulatory developments that could undermine these gains. There are concerning proposals emerging around vehicle safety and cybersecurity that risk creating new barriers to independent repair under the guise of protection. I’ll return to these in future posts. 

The aftermarket has fought long and hard for fair access to the tools and information needed to keep Europe's vehicles on the road safely and affordably. The Data Act could represent a significant step forward, but it's one that requires us to overcome practical hurdles around customer engagement and manufacturer cooperation. 

A Call to the Community

I encourage every business in our sector to understand both the opportunities and limitations of the Data Act. The European Commission published guidance on September 15th clarifying exactly what vehicle-generated data is covered and what remains outside the scope. When customers grant you access to their vehicle data, document any barriers manufacturers create. When they cite security concerns to impose unreasonable conditions, challenge it. When faced with discriminatory contract terms, question them. 

5 Key Data Act Rights for the Aftermarket

For our industry, these are five of the most important rights to be aware of:

• Transparency: The European Commission's September 15th guidance clarifies what vehicle-generated data is in scope, and manufacturers must clearly set out how this data can be accessed.
• Free access for users: Vehicle owners and fleet operators are entitled to their data at no cost.
• Fair terms for third parties: Independent workshops, service providers, and distributors must be offered access on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms.
• Challenge unfair barriers: Security or safety arguments cannot be used to unjustifiably block access, and unreasonable fees can be contested.
• Enforcement: If manufacturers fail to comply after a car owner has granted them access rights then independent businesses can escalate and rely on regulators to uphold their rights.

As we’ve seen before, by collating this information and speaking as one combined voice, the industry has the power to take on the vested interests of some of the world’s biggest automotive manufacturers.

The independent aftermarket serves millions of European drivers every day. We  see it as our responsibility to ensure that this vital service continues to be available, competitive, and accessible. The Data Act gives us new tools to fight for that future - but only if we use them.

The road ahead won't be straightforward, but with the entire aftermarket community working together, we can ensure that fair competition and consumer choice remain at the heart of Europe's automotive landscape.