Restricted access to vehicle repair information is increasing operating costs and reducing profitability for Canadian collision repair facilities, a new study from the Calgary-based accounting firm MNP LLP has found.
Unlocking Access: Why Right to Repair Matters for Every Vehicle Owner argues that the shift toward software-driven vehicles has fundamentally changed the economics of collision repair. As the authors write, “Access to data and tools is no longer optional for independent repairers — it is essential.”
Drawing on pricing data, 34 interviews with independent mechanical and collision operators based in all of Canada's provinces, the study concluded that limited access to OEM repair procedures, software and calibration tools are creating structural barriers for independent facilities. The report also found restricted access “can result in longer repair times, increased costs, and reduced competition in the automotive repair market.”
Collision operators interviewed described routine reliance on short-term OEM subscriptions and dealership referrals for programming and recalibration. As one shop owner told researchers, “We will buy a three-day subscription from the manufacturer, which is also very expensive and very time involved.” Others described patchwork approaches to accessing information. “I think a lot of repair shops are using more websites and buying short-term subscriptions. Everybody has their own way of doing it.”
The financial implications are significant. More than 75% of independent repair businesses generate less than $1 million in annual revenue, and the study warns that “losing even one service per day” because required programming or calibration cannot be completed in-house “could eliminate profits” for many smaller operators. Nationally, restricted access could translate into as much as $336 million in lost profit annually for independent facilities, according to the analysis.
Interviewees also questioned whether recent federal amendments addressing digital locks and competition concerns will meaningfully improve access. One participant said the changes “don’t go far enough. The real issue is enforcement. Without clear procedures, training, and accountability, these bills won’t ensure independent shops actually get the OEM info they need.”
The research was commissioned by the Automotive Industries Association of Canada, which said the findings underscore mounting operational and financial pressure on independent collision repair businesses as vehicle technology continues to evolve.
