The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has launched Federal Court action against Subaru Australia, alleging it failed to give independent mechanics fair access to information required to service and repair its vehicles.

The case centres on Australia’s Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme (MVIS), introduced to give independent workshops access to the same essential technical information available to manufacturer-authorised dealerships.

The ACCC alleges Subaru Australia failed to meet those requirements between July 1, 2022 and August 31, 2024.

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According to the watchdog, independent workshops were either denied access to some software and technical information supplied to Subaru dealers or could only obtain it through remote assistance.

The ACCC also alleges Subaru required independent repairers to purchase specific hardware to connect software to vehicles.

Subscription arrangements are another focus of the court action. Subaru allegedly offered some technical information only through annual subscriptions, rather than also providing daily or monthly options, or allowing repairers to nominate another subscription period as required by the scheme.

The ACCC further claims two independent repairers did not receive requested information immediately, or in some cases at all.

ACCC Commissioner Luke Woodward said the alleged conduct could have reduced customers’ ability to choose where their Subaru was serviced or repaired.

“We allege Subaru Australia failed to comply with the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme, which is designed to promote competition between Australian car repairers,” Woodward said.

The mandatory MVIS requires vehicle manufacturers and other information providers to make diagnostic, service and repair information available to Australian repairers on fair commercial terms and at no more than fair market value.

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It followed a 2017 ACCC investigation that found independent workshops were experiencing ongoing difficulties obtaining information needed to work on increasingly complex modern vehicles.

The Subaru case is the ACCC’s first court proceeding alleging breaches of the scheme, although it has previously taken enforcement action.

Honda Australia paid an $18,780 penalty in September 2024 after the ACCC alleged it offered repair software exclusively through annual subscriptions without providing daily or monthly alternatives.

Subaru Australia is the sole Australian importer and distributor of Subaru vehicles and is majority owned by Inchcape Australia.

The ACCC is seeking financial penalties, court declarations, costs and other orders. The allegations are yet to be determined by the Federal Court.

WhichCar by Wheels has approached Subaru Australia’s importer and distributor, Inchcape, for comment.