In the wake of the ACCC fining Honda, the AAAA has been reassured the scheme is functioning as intended

The Motor Vehicle Information Scheme (MVIS) is the first data-sharing law of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and was championed by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), the peak body for the automotive aftermarket industry.
Introduced in 2022, the MVIS was a groundbreaking law with far-reaching implications for Aussie car owners, making it illegal for car companies to withhold information from qualified independent mechanics.
Motor vehicle manufacturers selling vehicles into the Australian market are required to provide information for conducting diagnostics, servicing or repair activities to repairers at a price that does not exceed the fair market value.
Subscriptions for repair and service information from the car makers must also be offered on daily or monthly basis. Failing to comply with the main obligations of the scheme can result in penalties.
“This game-changing law has been critical for Australian consumers and independent service and repair workshops, but to maintain its integrity, it must be continually monitored and upheld, with compliance ensured for any breaches,” AAAA Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Charity, said.
The AAAA says the ACCC’s recent enforcement action underscores that the law is being closely monitored, and a proper compliance process is in place.
“This ACCC decision should remind manufacturers that they must comply with the legislation. While most car makers are doing the right thing, a few outliers, in our view, are not fully operating within the spirit of the law,” Stuart said.
Stuart also acknowledged the vital role of the Australian Automotive Service and Repair Authority (AASRA) and the ACCC’s Motor Vehicle Information Scheme (MVIS) Unit in ensuring competition and consumer choice within the Australian automotive repair industry.
The ACCC MVIS Unit oversees the mandatory sharing of service and repair information between car manufacturers and independent repairers, and AASRA is the body responsible for the law’s day to day implementation.
“AASRA has worked tirelessly to administer and improve the operationalisation of the law for technicians, and resolve issues, and I also want to acknowledge the dedicated professional technicians across the country for reporting alleged MVIS breaches for investigation,” Stuart said.
As reported elsewhere on this page, Honda Australia paid a penalty of $18,780 after the ACCC issued an infringement notice for allegedly breaching the MVIS information-sharing requirements by failing to provide independent repairers the option to purchase more affordable daily or monthly subscriptions.
“This law is vital to our industry. It is making a real difference to consumers and workshops across the country, and the ACCC’s compliance actions ensures its continued relevance and success,” Stuart said.
“As the peak automotive industry body, we care deeply about this Law, and we will always advocate for strong competition laws that support a level playing field and give consumers the choice.”
Tuning up our world leading data sharing law
While confident in the integrity of the MVIS, the AAAA is calling for amendments in response to concerns from independent workshops regarding the accessibility and cost of manufacturer diagnostic tools.
As discussed by Stuart Charity in the September 2024 edition of Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine, independent repairers currently need to subscribe to over 60 different car brand portals, each with its own unique process and costly brand-specific tools.
The AASRA Portal, which allows a single credential to log in to over 30 OEM portals, has simplified this process for subscribers – however, it does not address the challenges and expense of having to purchase specific diagnostic hardware for every brand.
To address this, the AAAA is seeking to amend the MVIS to require all manufacturers to adopt the SAE-J2534 protocol, which would allow workshops to use a single tool across all vehicle brands, reducing costs and simplifying the repair process.
The AAAA is encouraging its members to participate in consultations about the MVIS and is already in communication with the Honourable Andrew Leigh, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities, and Treasury, requesting a dialogue about minor improvements which could have a significant impact.

For more information or to provide feedback on the MVIS, please email advocacy@aaaa.com.au