Today’s vehicles are increasingly sophisticated: more comfortable, efficient, and connected than ever before. They’re smart, responsive, and in many cases, already paving the way toward autonomous driving. 

But with all this innovation comes a fundamental shift: cars are now computers on wheels. And that means that ensuring safe, secure and rightful access to the information and systems that keep them running isn’t just a technical challenge; it’s a legislative one.

When access is restricted, everyone pays the price

Modern cars depend on a wide range of software-enabled systems. If access to these systems is controlled only by the vehicle manufacturers, independent workshops risk being excluded from certain types of repair and maintenance – reducing consumer choice and increasing costs, by limiting the ability of independent businesses to compete.

An open and competitive aftermarket helps to ensure repairs are affordable, quality standards are maintained, and vehicles remain roadworthy for longer. I’ve highlighted this in my earlier blogs on the importance of Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (MVBER) – competition law designed to prevent anti-competitive behaviour in the aftermarket, such as manufacturers withholding technical information, parts, or training from independent operators. The EU is currently consulting on its revision ahead of expiry, with the UK’s equivalent, the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Order (MVBEO), due to expire a year later and no equivalent UK consultation yet announced.

Type Approval is technical regulation that sits alongside this. It sets out the legal right to access repair and maintenance information (RMI) and requires that technical data is made available to the aftermarket. MVBER and MVBEO can reinforce these rights by treating the refusal or restriction of such access as anti-competitive behaviour.

Ensuring competition law and technical regulation work effectively together benefits motorists, fleets, businesses, communities, supply chains and the wider economy.

Europe’s plan: a smarter, layered model for vehicle repair and maintenance

The European Union has recognised all of this and well as consulting on MVBER, is progressing amendments to vehicle Type Approval rules to modernise access arrangements. The proposed legislation will create five levels of access to vehicle systems, ranging from basic read-only diagnostics through to advanced functions such as ECU and software updates. LKQ Europe supports the EU’s move toward a structured, proportionate access model.

This tiered system means repairers will only need to obtain the level of access relevant to the task at hand, avoiding unnecessary complexity or cost for simpler jobs. The amendments will also require that multi-brand diagnostic tools are capable of carrying out replacement parts or system coding and software updates, and that repair and maintenance information is available to independent repairers via all channels and interfaces the manufacturer uses, whether that is on-board, off-board or remote diagnostics.

If current timelines hold, these changes could take effect from late 2025, with phased implementation of multi-brand tool access running from 2026 to 2028.

SERMI: turning legal rights into real-world capability

As part of its legislative framework, the EU has introduced the mandated SERMI (Secure Repair and Maintenance Information) scheme. This standardised authorisation framework ensures only approved independent businesses and their authorised technicians can carry out anti-theft related work, such as key or immobiliser programming. In the EU, the scheme is likely to expand to include safety-critical functions, such as ADAS calibration.

In short, Type Approval sets out the rights of independent aftermarket businesses to access secure vehicle functions; SERMI is the standardised mechanism that makes that access possible in practice.

The UK is stuck in neutral

In the UK, there has been little equivalent progress. The UK is planning to adopt the SERMI scheme, but only on a voluntary basis, and its Type Approval framework has yet to reflect the EU’s more structured, multi-layered model. Recent Department for Transport consultations on incorporating international Type Approval rules on cybersecurity and software updates have primarily focused on manufacturer requirements, with no specific consideration to the needs of the independent aftermarket.

The absence of a formal access scheme means many OEMs can opt out of the UK’s voluntary scheme and implement their own arbitrary requirements. This can result in independents paying additional fees, such as £10 to connect to a vehicle and £25 for an ADAS recalibration, that add £50 to £60 to jobs that previously incurred no extra cost. Much of this revenue flows to foreign vehicle manufacturers, rather than staying in the UK.

The UK Government has under-valued the consumer benefits and economic contribution generated by the UK aftermarket – the largest part of the country’s automotive sector – and revisions in UK legislation are now critically important. 

Importantly, the UK independent aftermarket supports around 350,000 livelihoods in over 40,000 SMEs. Higher costs and restricted access threaten the competitiveness of these businesses and, by extension, the affordability of vehicle repair and maintenance for motorists. 

A clear choice for policymakers

The UK now faces a choice: align with proven, workable European legislative requirements and standards that balance secure access to a vehicle and its data with effective competition, or risk creating an environment where independent businesses are increasingly unable to offer their high levels of customer service and consumer choice, leaving motorists facing higher costs and the wider economic value leaving the country.

Championing fair access for a stronger aftermarket

Working alongside our colleagues at LKQ UK & Ireland, and those in our other European regions, we will not stop fighting for the rights of the independent aftermarket. 

Doing so is fundamental to our mission to make affordable, safe, sustainable mobility accessible to all, keep consumers and businesses moving, and supporting the local communities and national economies in the countries where we operate.