What Changed
Michigan's right-to-repair law, signed in late 2024, requires automakers to give independent repair shops and vehicle owners access to the same diagnostic data and repair tools available to franchised dealerships — for any vehicle model year 2025 or newer.
In practice: if your 2025+ vehicle has a check-engine light, a body shop down the street can now read the same diagnostic codes your dealer can, and the manufacturer must make repair software available at fair cost. You are no longer effectively required to go to a dealer for anything covered by the law.
Source: Michigan Legislature — motor vehicle repair data access
What It Means for You
- More repair options: Any licensed Michigan auto repair shop can legally access diagnostic data for your 2025+ vehicle — not just dealers.
- Competitive pricing: Dealer labor rates in the Grand Rapids area run $135–$165/hour; independent shops typically run $90–$120/hour. Competition should increase.
- Still check warranty: Right-to-repair doesn't override your manufacturer warranty terms. Using an independent shop for warranty-covered work can still complicate claims — check your warranty before any non-routine work.
- Older vehicles: The law applies to 2025 and newer model years. 2024 and older vehicles are not covered.
The Debate Behind the Law
For the law
- Restores a consumer right that was eroded as vehicles became software-dependent — owners should be able to choose who repairs their property.
- Protects small independent repair shops — an important local industry — from being locked out by manufacturer software.
- Reduces repair costs through competition, which disproportionately benefits lower-income vehicle owners.
Manufacturer concerns
- Diagnostic data access creates cybersecurity risks — vehicle software systems can be entry points for attacks if credentials are broadly distributed.
- Improper repairs on safety-critical systems (brakes, ADAS) by shops without OEM training could create liability issues.
- Michigan is an unusual venue — automakers have significant political influence here and opposed the law actively.