The European Commission's consultation on Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulations (MVBER) is set in the coming months. While this might sound like dry policy speak, it represents a critical moment for Europe's aftermarket.

MVBER exists to ensure fair competition by preventing vehicle manufacturers from restricting access to parts, data, and information needed for independent operators to repair and maintain vehicles.

The current MVBER, which came into force in 2023, represented significant progress from its predecessor. We saw welcome improvements in areas like access to technical information and the recognition of new digital tools as essential repair equipment.

But just as the previous regulations became outdated during their decade-long tenure as vehicles grew increasingly complex and connected, we're already seeing gaps emerge in the current framework. This is precisely why the Commission committed to a more regular review cycle - so we can adapt the regulations to keep pace with rapidly evolving vehicle technology.

Let me highlight three areas where we believe the next iteration of MVBER needs to be strengthened.

Firstly, access to repair and maintenance information remains inconsistent and often deliberately obscured. We continue to see cases where workshops are forced to jump through unnecessary hoops to access basic diagnostic information or are charged excessive fees for data that should be readily available.

Secondly, there's an ongoing issue around warranty transparency. Too many customers still believe - incorrectly - that their vehicle warranty will be invalidated if they use an independent workshop. This misconception persists because OEMs aren't required to be explicit enough about warranty terms. The next MVBER needs to mandate clear communication that servicing at non-franchised workshops does not void warranties when quality parts are used, and manufacturer specifications are followed.

Thirdly, we need to address access to in-vehicle data now, not later. While this might seem like tomorrow's problem given it mainly affects the newest vehicles, we can't afford to wait. By the time these vehicles reach the independent aftermarket in significant numbers in 5-10 years, it will be too late to retrofit solutions. We need clear rules now that guarantee fair access to vehicle-generated data for all market players.

But perhaps the biggest issue of all is enforcement. The current regulations look robust on paper, but in practice, enforcement has been weak and inconsistent across Europe. Independent workshops shouldn't have to resort to expensive court battles to assert their rights - rights that are already enshrined in law.

Take the recent ECJ case between Fiat and Carglass/ATU over access to diagnostic ports. While the independents eventually won, the case took years and substantial resources - luxuries that most small workshops simply don't have. Stellantis, Fiat’s owner, then appealed the case, though subsequently lost but obviously not without stacking up more legal costs for all involved. National enforcement bodies need to step up and act when regulations are breached, rather than leaving it to the aftermarket to fight these battles through the courts.

This is where you come in.

As we prepare our submission to the Commission's consultation, we need your help. Your real-world experiences of barriers to repair, service or maintenance are our most powerful evidence. Whether it's being denied access to technical information, facing excessive charges for diagnostic data, or encountering warranty-related obstacles - we want to hear about it.

These aren't just isolated incidents - they're part of a pattern that threatens the future of the independent aftermarket. And while individual workshops might feel powerless against global OEMs, together through organizations like LKQ Europe, FIGIEFA, ADPA and CECRA, we can make our voice heard.

The next MVBER will shape our industry's competitive landscape for years to come. We need to ensure it not only provides the right protections on paper but also includes mechanisms for swift and effective enforcement when those protections are breached.

So please, reach out to us with your stories. Help us build the strongest possible case for a fair and competitive aftermarket that continues to provide motorists with choice, value, and quality service.