Mazda, Kia, and BYD have improved access and reduced the costs for independent repairers to access their service and repair information, following separate ACCC investigations.
Under the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme (MVIS), data providers, such as vehicle manufacturers, must offer service and repair information needed to diagnose, repair or service passenger vehicles (known as Scheme Information) to all Australian repairers on reasonable commercial terms, including a fair market price.
The ACCC investigated offers made by Mazda, Kia and BYD under the MVIS, which raised concerns about access to this information.
“We were concerned that independent repairers were required to purchase expensive equipment if they wanted to access information needed to service and diagnose vehicles,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said
“This equipment could cost thousands of dollars and, in some cases, independent repairers were charged significantly more for it than authorised repairers.”
Following the ACCC’s investigation, Mazda Australia provided a court-enforceable undertaking to ACCC committing to improve its MVIS compliance.
Mazda had previously required independent repairers to use a specific Mazda device to access certain diagnostic information. After the ACCC investigation, this information is now accessible through devices that independent repairers more commonly use.
Mazda Australia is also offering refunds to some independent repairers who paid more to access its Scheme Information than they would have paid using an alternative option if it had been made available to them.
Following the ACCC’s investigation, Kia has introduced a program that allows independent repairers to access its diagnostic hardware and software for $136 a day. Previously, the minimum upfront cost, which included the outright purchase of hardware, was around $9,780.
BYD has also introduced a daily access option for $140, when before this change independent repairers had to pay $600 for monthly access or $14,719.60 for outright purchase.
Vehicle manufacturers are also required by the MVIS to offer repair and service information through a range of access periods, including daily and monthly options. The ACCC’s investigations found each of Mazda, Kia and BYD were not fully meeting this requirement, and as a result all three manufacturers have now changed their access offers.
“Improved access to repair and service information allows independent repairers to better compete with dealerships and gives consumers more choice about where they have their vehicle serviced or repaired,” Mr Keogh said.
Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme (MVIS)
The MVIS is a mandatory scheme designed to promote competition in the Australian automotive service and repair sector. The MVIS requires motor vehicle service and repair information to be made available for purchase by all Australian repairers at a price not exceeding its fair market value.
The ACCC is responsible for enforcing the MVIS under the Competition and Consumer Act.
The MVIS was introduced to ensure consumers benefit from competitive aftermarkets and have a choice of outlets to repair and service their cars.
The MVIS adopts recommendations from the ACCC’s 2017 new car retailing industry market study which found that independent repairers were experiencing continued problems accessing information needed to repair and service modern cars.
Many independent repairers in Australia are small businesses. One of the ACCC’s enforcement and compliance priorities is to ensure that small businesses receive the protections of competition and consumer laws.
While the ACCC has a broad oversight and enforcement role for the MVIS, the Australian Automotive Service and Repair Authority oversees the day-to-day operations of the scheme in the role of ‘Scheme Adviser’.
More information about the obligations of data providers, such as vehicle manufacturers, and the roles of others under the MVIS is available on the ACCC website.
In August 2026, the ACCC commenced proceedings in the Federal Court against Subaru (Aust) Pty Ltd (Subaru Australia) for allegedly failing to give independent car repairers equal access to the information they need to repair Subaru cars.
In September 2024, Honda Australia paid a penalty of $18,780 after the ACCC issued it with an infringement notice. The ACCC alleged that Honda Australia offered to supply repair software by yearly subscription only and did not give independent repairers the option to purchase less expensive subscriptions on a daily or monthly basis.
Background
Mazda Australia is the importer and distributor of Mazda-branded vehicles in Australia. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mazda Motor Corporation, the manufacturer of Mazda motor vehicles, located in Japan.
Kia Australia is the importer and distributor of Kia-branded vehicles in Australia and is a subsidiary of Kia Corporation (Korea).
BYD Australia is the importer and distributor of BYD vehicles in Australia and is ultimately controlled by BYD Company Limited (China).
