The days of car reviews are ending. Why? All because of this change the automotive industry is making that affects everyone buying their next new car. Plus, here’s how you can protect yourself…for now.
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If there is one thing that does more good as a service to car shoppers than anything else is the fact that online resources (such as our humble website) offers new car reviews to help shoppers know what car and truck models are like from both a driving perspective and how reliable or problematic a specific model is proving to be.
This is especially true if you are looking to buy a used car and want to know which models are the most reliable from owner survey data analysis from resources like Consumer Reports.
Unfortunately that day is ending. And sooner than you think.
New Car Warning: Your New Car is Unfixable (by design)
If you have difficulty in believing that car reviews will no longer be relevant in the near future, then you really need to watch the latest Car Wizard YouTube channel episode where the host discusses the problems, he and other mechanics are finding with newer car models: Namely―they are becoming unfixable…through intentional design by automotive manufacturers today.
It's Happening to DIY Mechanics, and Professional Mechanics are Next
What “unfixable” in this sense means is that DIY mechanics and professional mechanics are slowly, but surely being edged away from having the capability to do repairs on modern cars.
It started when cars were outfitted with electronic control modules to improve fuel efficiency and engine operating efficiency with electronic control systems that could measure performance and adjust a component as needed much more quickly and efficiently than any analog mechanical system could.
Which was great because it worked and gave us better running cars. And better yet, it could be done with plug-and-play modules that made repairs less difficult (as long as you could diagnose the faulty component).
Diagnosing a faulty electronic component within a system requires code reading scan tools to help the DIY mechanic or professional mechanic isolate the source of the problem and then replace the faulty electronic module.
For DIY types who like to work on their cars, simpler and inexpensive scan tools are available; however, the better scan tools used by professional mechanics run into the thousands of dollars. Not everyone mechanic can afford one―DIY or professional.
And it gets worse.
Big Brother is Watching Your Repairs
Unfortunately, those plug-and-play modules are a thing of the past.
Today, those electronic components are digitally tied to a particular VIN that can and does prevent repairs from being made without permission from the manufacturer to allow a component replacement or a reset to allow the car to run again as it should. Even something as simple as a new battery replacement might require a reset/recalibration of your electronic system.
For the DIY mechanic it is undoable. For the professional mechanic it may require a special yearly licensing fee to do that reset or request one online at the click of a mouse or consent from whatever AI software oversees code reset requests.
You Won't Believe the Tool Cost to Fix Modern Cars!
Follow along with the host in the video below to see just how bad of a problem this has become and why it is expected to only get worse. Then, continue reading to see one example of why this is already a problem in the agricultural industry and why cars and car owners are next.
It’s Already Happened: Farmers and the Right to Repair
While all of this sounds like it is a far-off concern, the truth of the matter is that it has already happened. Case in point: The "Right to Repair" issue involving John Deere revolving around farmers' inability to repair and maintain their own John Deere agricultural equipment.
Farmers argue that they should have access to the same diagnostic software, tools, and manuals that authorized dealers use when it comes to the repairs needed for John Deere equipment they bought. Without this access, even simple repairs can require a visit to a dealer, which can be costly and time-consuming, especially during critical planting or harvesting periods.
The powers-that-be at John Deere argue the following reasons why farmers are prevented from repairing the equipment they paid for:
Safety and Quality: John Deere contends that restricting repairs to authorized dealers ensures that repairs are done safely and correctly. They argue that unauthorized repairs could compromise the safety and functionality of the equipment.
Intellectual Property: The company also cites concerns about protecting its intellectual property. By controlling access to software and tools, they can prevent reverse engineering and unauthorized modifications.
Currently, The Right to Repair issue remains unresolved for farmers and is a good example of the broader debate about consumer rights in the digital age, balancing safety and intellectual property concerns with the need for defining what "ownership" of a piece of farm equipment or of a car really means and how it applies with respect to fairness in repair markets.
How This Affects Everyone
While non-DIY car owners might argue that the topic of this article does not affect them, it is a short-sighted argument. The expected outcome is that if professional mechanics have to pay special yearly fees for software updates of cars, new replacement component reset/recalibration fees, etc., then those costs will result in even higher repair bills.
But there is an even more insidious problem to consider: Lack of transparency when it is a very real possibility a car manufacturer can require that you pay for updates to keep your car running and/or shut your vehicle down until payment is made. Worse yet: intentional abuse of your car for monetary gain.
If this becomes a reality, then car reviews will become a moot point because how will anyone know what is a real automotive problem and what is design?
How to Protect Yourself
As the host of the Car Wizard YouTube channel pointed out, look for cars that were made before the year 2000 if you want to drive a vehicle that can still be repaired with simple component replacement.
Now is the time to invest in one of two of the same models (one to ride, one for parts) as a way to protect yourself from paying too much for a modern car that is designed to be unfixable
In other words―rage against the machine…both figuratively and literally.
Related article: Turns Out Tesla Owners Technically Do Not Own Their Cars
Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites and Facebook for daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.
COMING UP NEXT: The Used Car Dealership Lot You Should Never Buy a Classic Car From Warning
Image source: Deposit Photos
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