The Independent Garage Association (IGA) and the Dutch trade body Bovag met with the European Commission to present a report on access to technical information for modern vehicles. The upshot of the presentation is that the Commission has committed to carry out a review on the subject.

Since 2010 it has been a legal requirement that vehicle manufacturers release all technical information to independent garages. They also have an obligation to provide technical service bulletins, recall information, online diagnosis and software updates for new cars with Euro 5 type approval. However, most trade bodies that represent the aftermarket feel that the Vehicle Manufacturers (VMs) fall short of this expectation - as evidenced in the Bovag report.

Stuart James, IGA director said: "The report proves that vehicle manufacturers are still not meeting the legal requirements that the European Commission has set for them.

"Technical information is the life blood for independent garages to be able to repair cars in the future. Without it they will struggle to carry out an effective diagnosis. Therefore it is imperative that the European Commission act now to ensure that vehicle manufacturers are meeting the requirements."