CLEPA has called for greater regulation protecting access to repair data and parts for independent repairers.
It believes that as authorised dealerships gain greater dominance, independents are facing growing restrictions around access to vital information and spare parts.
It says this trend could reduce competition by limiting consumer choice and inflating repair bills for independent bodyshops.
This comes after a joint study with Berylls and FIGIEFA analysed the competitiveness of the European automotive aftermarket up to 2035, considered the impact of new vehicle technologies, cybersecurity requirements, and the shift towards software-defined vehicles.
It identified five key factors that will shape the future of the aftermarket: limited availability of certain car parts; the need for specific coding for replacement parts; challenges in accessing technical information for repairs; outdated interfaces for software updates in independent repair shops; and limited access to in-vehicle data.
It warns that without regulation, by 2035 these issues could be adding £35bn each year to repair bills across seven key EU markets.
CLEPA’s Senior Consultant for Market Affairs, Frank Schlehuber, said, “To ensure that consumers retain the freedom to choose their vehicle service providers, robust legislation that addresses cybersecurity, information access, and parts availability is essential. This will help ensure affordable mobility for EU citizens.”
