Translation of "Réparateur de carrosseries automobiles " (French → English) :

(g) the restriction of the ability of the distributor of motor vehicles to subcontract the provision of repair and maintenance services to authorised repairers, one of which must operate in his immediate vicinity, failing which the distributor must arrange local access to after-sales services, on condition that the distributor duly informs the consumer before the conclusion of the sales contract about the location of the authorised repairer;

Independent operators who must be allowed such access include independent repairers, manufacturers of repair equipment or tools, publishers of technical information, automobile clubs, roadside assistance operators, operators offering inspection and testing services and operators offering training for repairers.

(g) the restriction of the ability of the distributor of motor vehicles to subcontract the provision of repair and maintenance services to authorised repairers on condition that the distributor subcontracts to at least one authorised repairer situated close to the distribution outlet and duly informs the consumer before the conclusion of the sales contract about the location of the authorised repairer; subcontracting of after-sales services to authorised repairers shall not invalidate the liability of the distributor for faulty repairs or maintenance;

The draft also aims to give consumers a choice as to which spare parts are used to repair their vehicle; clauses by which a carmaker seeks to prevent repairers from obtaining spare parts from other sources or which restrict the right of authorised repairers to use spare parts which match the quality of original spare parts would not be allowed by the new block exemption.

The new draft regulation also provides that, providing they meet the quality standards set by a manufacturer, both independent repairers and today's car dealers may become authorised repairers within that manufacturer's network, without being obliged to sell new cars.

Whereas under the current system, every car dealer is forced to invest in facilities to carry out repairs and maintenance on the vehicles they sell, under the new draft, dealers may choose whether they wish to carry out repairs themselves, or sub-contract them to another authorised member of the manufacturer's network, be it another dealer/repairer or a repairer only.