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Irish Times
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Times
The Irish Times view on car repairs: balancing competition and consumer protection
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has reminded motor dealers that it is an offence under competition law to prevent motorists from choosing who services or repairs their car and what parts they use. The target of the warning is motor dealers who tie warranties and guarantees on cars they sell to conditions specifying they must be serviced and repaired by authorised dealers and only using parts supplied by the manufacturer. While this might give the dealer some comfort when standing over an extended warranty – as well as a potential source of income – it is also anti-competitive. These practices – which include denying independent garages access to diagnostic data or tools – drive up prices, limit choice, and harm both consumers and independent garages, says the CCPC. The industry can now consider itself warned. No formal proceedings have been instigated at this stage but the CCPC says it is seeking information from motor distributors and urged them to review and amend any arrangements that might constitute anti-competitive behaviour. Assuming the motor industry complies, the result should be more choice and better value for car owners when it comes to repairs and servicing. However, the CCPC seems to have assumed that all garages are equal, that none of them use substandard replacement parts and all are competent in the use of the sophisticated diagnostic tools supplied by manufacturers. READ MORE There is no formal accreditation or certification of independent garages although the Society of the Motor Industry runs a scheme covering crash repairs. Insurance companies also have lists of approved garages for repairs. But when it comes to servicing and other routine repairs, consumers have little to go on apart from an individual garage's reputation. Ensuring that independent garages meet a minimum standard would appear to be a reasonable quid-pro-quo for demanding that motor dealers share diagnostic tools and stand over warranties when third parties are involved.
BreakingNews.ie
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- BreakingNews.ie
Consumer watchdog issues warning to Irish motor industry
The Irish motor industry has been told to stop limiting consumer choice, by the State competition watchdog. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said it had received reports from motorists who have been prevented or discouraged from having their vehicles serviced or repaired at independent garages. Advertisement In an industry-wide letter, the agency has reminded the sector that, by law, consumers cannot be prevented from freely choosing who services or repairs their vehicles, or what parts they use. The CCPC said some motorists claim to have been told that their warranty will be void if they have their vehicle serviced or repaired outside an authorised dealership network, or if they use non-original or non-manufacturer supplied spare parts. Non-original spare parts can be used in repairs not covered by the vehicle warranty without the warranty being affected, so long as they are of 'matching quality' with the originals. Others claim to have been blocked from using independent garages because of restricted access to essential diagnostic data or tools which were not made available by the manufacturer or distributor. Advertisement The CCPC said such practices can break competition law, drive up prices, limit choice, and harm both consumers and independent garages. The watchdog is seeking information from distributors of motor vehicles in Ireland and has urged them to review and, if necessary, amend any arrangements they have in place. On a non-criminal basis, the CCPC may impose administrative financial sanctions on businesses and associations of undertakings of up to €10 million, or 10 per cent of its annual worldwide turnover, whatever is greater, for breaches of competition law. Alternatively, more serious breaches of competition law, including cartel behaviour, may be prosecuted as criminal offences, and fines of up to €50 million, or 20 per cent of a business's annual worldwide turnover, may be imposed by the court upon conviction on indictment. Advertisement While formal proceedings have not been instigated against any particular firm, the CCPC has emphasised that it will take action if illegal practices are identified. Additionally, the CCPC has informed independent garages of their right to freely repair vehicles, to use non-original spare parts which are of a matching quality, and to access repair and diagnostic tools. Craig Whelan, director of antitrust at the CCPC, said: 'Motorists must be free to choose where they service their vehicles and what parts they use without fear of losing their warranty. 'Independent garages must not be blocked from accessing essential diagnostic data or tools. Advertisement 'These restrictive practices hurt consumers, stifle competition, and unfairly advantage authorised dealerships. ' Motor vehicle importers and the main distributors across Ireland have been given until Wednesday August 6th to make a submission to the CCPC after they have reviewed their own arrangements.
Irish Times
06-07-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Times
Motor dealers face fines of €50m for blocking car owners' use of independent garages
Motor dealers could face fines up to €50 million for trying to stop drivers using independent garages for maintenance and repairs, competition regulators will warn on Monday. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is writing to the Republic's motor industry threatening to clamp down on terms in guarantees discouraging drivers from choosing where they get their cars repaired or which spare parts they use. Conditions that void guarantees on vehicles if owners do not go to authorised dealerships for servicing and repairs, or if they buy spare parts not made by their cars' manufacturers, could break competition law, a letter from Craig Whelan, the CCPC's director of antitrust will set out. Serious breaches of competition law could result in prosecution and fines of up to €50 million, or 20 per cent of a firm's turnover, whichever is the higher, on conviction by a jury. READ MORE On a 'non-criminal basis' the commission itself can impose penalties up to €10 million on companies or groups of associated businesses, the correspondence will explain. 'Restrictions on competition between independent repairers and authorised repairers leads to higher prices and lower quality of service for motorists,' Mr Whelan says. The CCPC has the power to investigate suspected breaches of competition law, resulting in prosecution, or in imposing its own financial penalties which it must get the High Court to confirm. Mr Whelan maintains that terms invalidating guarantees – where a vehicle owner goes to an independent garage instead of the manufacturer's authorised dealer – increase costs because a motorist must then pay for repairs that guarantees would otherwise cover. The commission notes that these practices boost prices, limit choice, and harm consumers and independent garages. 'These restrictive practices hurt consumers, stifle competition, and unfairly advantage authorised dealerships,' Mr Whelan will say in a statement on Monday. The commission will urge motor distributors to review and, if required, change their practices to ensure they comply with competition law. It will assure independent garages that they can freely repair vehicles, use non-original spare parts where quality matches the manufacturer's, and access repair and diagnostic equipment. The commission will ask independent garages to report instances where dealers deny them access to essential tools or diagnostic information. Complaints from motorists and garages prompted Monday's warning to the industry. Drivers have said authorised dealers and repairers have warned them their guarantees would be voided if routine services or repairs not covered under the vehicle warranty were carried out at an independent garage. They have also reported that dealers told them their guarantees would be voided if non-manufacturer supplied spare parts were used in routine maintenance or repairs. Independent garages complained they could not get access to tools or to some on-board data, which helps track and identify problems, preventing them from working on those vehicles. While the commission has not taken proceedings against individual businesses, it warns that it will act where it identifies illegal practices. 'We will continue to monitor this issue closely and will take appropriate enforcement action where we believe competition law has been breached,' it will say.
Auto Blog
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Counterfeit EV Battery Modules: Risks & How to Avoid Them
Fake EV Parts Are Flooding the Market (And They Could Cost You Your Life) In 2025, the second-hand electric vehicle (EV) market is booming—and so is a shadow industry of questionable and even deadly replacement parts. Online marketplaces like eBay have seen continuing increases in listings for 'OEM Compatible' EV battery modules, many priced well below manufacturer-direct offerings. notes a 58.5% increase in used battery electric car sales in Q1 2025 versus the previous year. But as any experienced mechanic will tell you, today's garage is increasingly a battleground between authentic engineering and a flood of dubious imports. And what you don't want is a dubious import that causes a fire so hot that even the fire department can't put out. A Costly Gamble for EV Owners Let's say the owner of an out-of-warranty Tesla Model Y, hoping to save money, takes their car to an independent garage. The shop sources a replacement battery module online, advertised as 'authentic.' After installation, the vehicle runs fine—until a 'check battery' warning appears within 50 miles. The issue? Counterfeit EV battery modules—often assembled with mismatched cells and unstable firmware—are prone to early failures and 'check battery' warnings within a short distance after installation. The Rise of Counterfeit EV Parts Counterfeit battery modules and ECUs (Electronic Control Units) are a growing concern in the aftermarket repair ecosystem. Genuine Tesla battery modules, for instance, a Model 3 battery pack can cost $20-28,000 ( 2025). On platforms like eBay and Alibaba, however, 'OEM Compatible' modules have been seen for $1,200–$1,500, appealing to cost-conscious garages and DIY-ers alike. While some listings may involve refurbished OEM parts, many are knock-offs assembled with unvetted lithium-ion cells. Low-cost counterfeit batteries often use substandard cells lacking safety features (such as CID, a device that prevent those 1,000° C thermal runaway fires), poor assembly quality, and no assured firmware integrity. The Fallout for Garages and Consumers Independent garages, many of which operate on thin margins, are particularly vulnerable. Tempted by low prices and fast availability, some install these modules without realizing the hidden risks: shorted cells, BMS (battery management system) errors, or safety-critical software bugs. The consequences are predictable—failed repairs, unhappy customers, dangerous results, and reputational damage (Automotive Service Association, 2024). Some garages now invest in battery module diagnostic tools and electronic authentication systems, but these technologies often cost upwards of a thousand dollars and require upskilling staff to use effectively. The authentication systems alone often require subscriptions or specialized hardware costing thousands. So, many garages just don't. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Why the Problem Persists This crisis persists largely because regulation has yet to catch up with the pace of EV adoption. Right-to-repair laws in many U.S. states remain narrow in scope, and proprietary software remains tightly controlled by OEMs. Tesla, for example, encrypts most of its BMS and drivetrain software, blocking third-party access without official licensing, and VIN-locks its part so you can only use new Tesla parts. Contravening both warranty and anti-trust laws, this imbalance limits the ability of independent garages to source and verify authentic parts, creating fertile ground for black-market sellers. A Market at a Crossroads As EVs age and warranties expire, the temptation to cut corners will grow. Without urgent action to expand parts access, enforce marketplace accountability, and educate consumers, counterfeit components will increasingly undermine EV safety and reliability at scale. Until then, the best advice remains timeless: if a part's price seems too good to be true, it probably is. In the whirlwind world of EV repairs, authenticity should not be a luxury. It's a prerequisite for safety, performance, and peace of mind. Make sure your mechanic can guarantee authentic parts; stay involved. The very best way to counter counterfeiters, of course, is make sure brands don't do things like VIN-lock parts, or void warranties for using spare parts. Brands need to get on board, free up control, to push the counterfeiters out of business. About the Author Brian Iselin View Profile
