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Spanner in the works for car servicing code

The car industry may be forced to back down from its controversial new code of practice for vehicle servicing.

Car companies may be forced to make a U-turn on car servicing rules, as the Federal Government steps in.

The car industry may be forced to back down from its controversial new code of practice for vehicle servicing – which limits how much information it supplies to local mechanics – as early as next week.

The Federal Minister for small business Bruce Billson has called a meeting with the car industry and independent repairers next week to review the code after talks between the parties broke down.

"It is evident from the events of the last few weeks and engagement by my office that the industry-led collaborations to reach a heads of agreement have stalled," said Minister Billson.

"There seems to be dysfunction amongst the parties. Therefore I will be convening a meeting so parties throughout the supply and service chain can meet and discuss their concerns."

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, the peak lobby group for car companies, insists the new car servicing code provides independent repairers with access to maintenance data.

"FCAI members have, for many years, provided independent repairers with access to automotive service and repair information," said FCAI spokesman Sheena Ireland.

However, the Australian Automobile Association, the peak body of the NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, and other motoring clubs, which represent 7 million motorists, says there needs to be a clearer definition of how much information is provided.

In Europe and North America it is compulsory for car companies to make available to independent mechanics the same service and update data provided to franchised dealer service centres.

But in Australia the same rules do not apply and in 2012 the previous Federal Government asked the car industry to draft a voluntary code of practice for car servicing.

"The voluntary code that's been put forward does not guarantee the most up to date data is available to independent mechanics," said the AAA's chief executive Andrew McKellar.

"We need to very clearly define what the industry is prepared to make available. At the moment there are at least 16 exclusions."

Earlier this week, Australia's biggest car maker, Toyota, broke ranks with the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries by continuing to offer to independent workshops more than the minimum information mandated by the new standard because, it said, "not everyone can get to a dealership to service their car".

Unlike other car companies – and unlike the conditions of the new code – Toyota also makes recall information available to independent repairers, although the work itself must be done at a dealership.

"We are pleased to see there seems to be a back down from some brands in the industry who are going beyond the bare minimum of the new car servicing code," said Mr McKellar.

"If some individual brands are prepared to provide clearer guarantees to customers and independent repairers, then the car industry as a whole should adopt the same approach."