The EU is making decisions right now that could reshape the independent aftermarket — from data access and vehicle regulation to industrial policy and global trade. 

With a flurry of activity in Brussels, I’m breaking from the usual format this month and sharing four key developments I’m watching closely, and what they mean for our sector. 

Each has the potential to redefine how we service vehicles, compete in the market, and prepare for what’s next. 

As I join the Business and Strategy working group of FIGIEFA, where many of these issues will be discussed in detail, I’m more convinced than ever that collective advocacy will determine the future of our sector. 

1. MVBER Consultation: Evidence That Can’t Be Ignored 

The European Commission’s consultation on the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (MVBER) closes on May 23 — and it’s the single most important chance we have to make our voice heard in shaping the future of independent vehicle servicing in Europe. 

In my last blog, I argued that a successful zero-emission transition demands not just more EVs, but longer vehicle life and more repairability — and that only a healthy, competitive aftermarket can deliver that. The MVBER underpins that competition by guaranteeing fair access to vehicle data, parts, and tools for independents. 

But enforcement has been patchy. That’s why LKQ Europe is launching a pan-European evidence gathering campaign — because we know examples of non-compliance will speak louder than principles. Our goal is to show that poor enforcement isn’t confined to one market: it’s systemic, and the only way to fix that is stronger, more explicit enforcement mechanisms within the next MVBER framework.

If you’ve faced challenges with access to data, tools, or parts then this is the time to speak up. LKQ Europe is collecting real-world evidence to make sure our sector is protected and strengthened. 

2. Type Approval: The Risk of Raising the Bar Too High 

The Commission’s proposal to amend Type Approval legislation may seem technical, but its consequences could be profound for the aftermarket. 

It introduces five levels of access to vehicle systems, depending on the work to be carried out. On the surface, that sounds sensible. But the fear is that these layers could make access more complex, not less especially if the thresholds to gain access are set so high that only OEMs or franchised networks can meet them. 

The court has already ruled that OBD port access must not be restricted or made conditional on requirements outside Type Approval. But manufacturers are now lobbying for those very restrictions to be brought back in — via the Type Approval route. 

This connects directly to MVBER and SERMI, the new security-related repair data scheme. If these frameworks don’t move in sync, we risk creating conflicting or overlapping obligations that make compliance impossible for small businesses. 

We need to question the practical impacts of this layered model. Will it support independent repair, or box it out? We’re actively lobbying to ensure access remains practical, proportionate and fair. 

3. Clean Mobility and the EU Industrial Strategy: Reading Between the Lines 

March saw the publication of the Commission’s Automotive Sector Industrial Action Plan, which lays the foundations for how Europe wants its automotive sector to evolve. One pillar is Clean Mobility, which ties into Commission President von der Leyen’s ambitions for a climate-neutral transport system. 

But what should the independent aftermarket take from this? 

For one, the path to decarbonisation remains uncertain. New tech like autonomous driving and cybersecurity tools could be used to limit access to vehicle data under the guise of safety or compliance. And crucially, there will be no sector-specific legislation on in-vehicle data access for at least two years. 

On the upside, battery repair and remanufacturing is expected to feature in upcoming legislation. That could open the door for independents to play a bigger role in extending EV life — but only if skills and tools are made widely available. 

Another key development is the forthcoming EU Battery Passport, which will be mandatory from February 2027 for EV and industrial batteries above 2kWh. It’s designed to improve traceability, sustainability, and safety by tracking key data on battery performance, carbon footprint, and end-of-life handling. For the aftermarket, it offers a potential advantage — with proper access, this kind of transparency could support more effective repair, reuse, and remanufacturing. But only if independent operators are given the tools and rights to engage with the system meaningfully. 

The reality is that the EU’s Automotive Sector Industrial Action Plan, despite our lobbying efforts, still largely overlooks the aftermarket. While the initial high-level meetings excluded independent operators altogether, subsequent discussions included aftermarket voices, but the final plan makes no specific mention of our sector’s role in a competitive, sustainable mobility ecosystem. This omission is a critical gap, and one we’ll continue to push to address. 

4. Tariffs: A Shifting Trade Landscape 

President Trump’s tariffs have sent ripples through global supply chains. And we’ll continue to watch the ever-changing tariff situation with interest as the global automotive industry reacts and adapts. 

If your business is facing barriers to access, regulation, or repair — let’s talk. Together, we can shape the future, not be shaped by it.