The surge of patients is overloading hospitals. Doctors put in extended hours, and obtaining supplies can be challenging. As extra precautions are taken to guarantee patient safety and reduce spread, there has also been an increased need for medical equipment to be continually operational and reliable. Repair restrictions imposed by equipment manufacturers, whether th

You cannot purchase a new phone screen from a hardware store. Independent repair shops cannot survive when manufacturers refuse to provide spare parts. Many electronics firms have ceased disclosing service and repair information to the general public and independent repair technicians. This has had a significant negative impact on people’s livelihoods and consumer c

We cannot purchase a new phone screen from a phone store. Independent repair shops simply cannot survive when manufacturers refuse to provide spare components. Many electronics firms have ceased disclosing service and repair information to the general public and independent repair technicians. The move has had a significant negative impact on people’s livelihoo

Most people are unaware that today’s tractor has a high degree of electronics. With modern technology now being introduced into production agriculture, farmers and agriculturalists are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain their equipment, putting a strain on the bottom lines of producers and local non-dealer-certified repair businesses.  Ageing farm eq

An Insurance policy for a mid-sized vehicle with a 1.5L engine costs roughly Rs. 35,000 at a Dealer. However, same coverage is Rs. 26,000 from alternative sources.  Car manufacturers and insurers collaborate to create policies which control service and claims, in addition to premiums and payouts. These policies pass through the Dealers, who possibly make […]

Car owners or independent repair shops are forced to use worn or poor components due to limited  availability or non existent market for OEM spares. Users and independent repair businesses must instead salvage used equipment, and perhaps unintentionally or intentionally using non-OEM parts. Use of poor quality non-OEM parts puts the lives of both the users [

Lack of awareness among car owners and by specific efforts of the OEMs have led to the belief that OEM parts are the only available option and every thing else is spurious. Discoverability of the right spares for repair of vehicles is very complex.  Fundamentally, vehicle owners and repairers need to be more aware that […]

Over the past few years, there has been a steady decrease in the volume and variety of repairs that independent shops have been taking in. In a research conducted by IMR to understand the challenges faced by Independent repairers, we found a few factors influencing the challenges directly related to manufacturers’ and their authorized Dealers’ monop

Manufacturers fear that customers would patronise independent repair shops that use ‘pirate parts’ not produced by them. They also use restrictive practices to drive car owners to their franchised dealer network by controlling access to catalogues, repair procedures, and special tools thus placing the car owner at a disadvantage.  Challenges Today Why it matters

Car owners believe that repair restrictions should be lifted. They argue that repair restrictions prevent timely repairs, raise the prices they pay for repairs, harm the environment, and threaten small and local businesses. Vehicle repair has evolved dramatically, with computer diagnostic technologies replacing the mechanic’s skill and hands-on experience. Computers