Right to Repair and EV Ownership in Australia: Why It Matters to European Car Owners
- BMTech
- Sep 17
- 3 min read
Australia’s automotive industry is transforming rapidly, with electric vehicles (EVs) becoming more common on our roads each year. But while EV technology evolves at lightning speed, some of the laws designed to protect drivers and independent repairers are still catching up.
One of the most important safeguards in place is the Right to Repair. These laws ensure independent workshops like BM Tech have access to the same repair and maintenance data as dealerships, so we can continue to deliver expert service for vehicles like BMW, MINI, Audi and Volkswagen. Without this protection, car owners risk being locked into costly dealership servicing, while independent specialists are left without the information they need to support their customers.
⚖️ Why Are the Right to Repair Regulations Relevant?
Several key laws protect drivers and ensure fair competition across the automotive industry:
Australian Consumer Law (ACL) & Fair Trading Act 2012 (Vic): Protects consumers against misleading conduct, unfair contract terms, and failure to provide consumer guarantees.➡️ Consumer Affairs Victoria
Australian Competition and Consumer Act (Cth): Enforced by the ACCC, this law includes the mandatory Motor Vehicle Information Scheme (MVIS), which requires manufacturers (data providers) to share repair and service information with independent mechanics.➡️ About MVIS – ACCC
Competition and Consumer (Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme) Rules 2021: These set out the detailed requirements for how repair data must be provided.➡️ MVIS Rules – Legislation.gov.au
Who's Complying and Who's Not? - Media reporting has put the spotlight on compliance with Australia’s Right to Repair rules. According to the Australian Financial Review (25 August 2025), BYD and four other Chinese EV brands — including Zeekr, XPeng, Smart and Leapmotor — have been identified as failing to meet obligations to share critical repair and maintenance data with independent workshops.
That said, no official enforcement notices from the ACCC or Consumer Affairs Victoria have yet confirmed these brands as legally non-compliant.
The only confirmed enforcement action so far involves Honda Australia, which was fined after allegedly breaching MVIS rules by limiting access to diagnostic software to annual subscriptions only — instead of offering the required daily or monthly options.➡️ ACCC media release: Honda pays penalty
This shows the scheme is being enforced — and that more investigations are likely to follow.
💡 What Are the Consequences?
For Businesses: Companies that fail to comply face infringement notices, large monetary penalties, or even court action.
For Consumers: If you experience restricted servicing options or believe a manufacturer is breaching consumer law, you can report concerns directly to:
👩🔧 What This Means for BM Tech Customers
At BM Tech, we’ve always stood for transparency, fairness, and customer choice. Our technicians use factory-level tools and decades of European expertise to ensure BMW, MINI, Audi and Volkswagen drivers across Melbourne receive world-class servicing — without being tied to dealerships.
By supporting the Right to Repair, we can continue to give our clients access to trusted expertise, genuine advice, and fair value.
✅ The BM Tech Difference
While debates continue around manufacturer compliance, one thing is certain: BM Tech is committed to putting our customers first.
We believe your right to repair is more than just a legal safeguard — it’s a guarantee of freedom, trust, and confidence. And when you bring your car to BM Tech, that’s exactly what you’ll experience.
🔗 Useful Links for Drivers
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