Your Car. Your Choice: What India’s Right to Repair Means for Car Owners

For years, many Indian car owners have believed that owning a car also means being tied to the manufacturer’s authorised service network.

Need a service? Go to the dealer. Need a repair? Use the authorised workshop. Need a part? Buy it through the authorised channel. But that assumption is changing.

India’s Right to Repair initiative is designed to give consumers greater access to information, spare parts and repair options, helping them make informed choices about how their products are maintained and repaired. Automobiles and passenger vehicles are specifically included among the sectors covered by the initiative.

And for car owners, that means something important: Your car is yours. You should have a choice in where it is serviced.

What exactly is the Right to Repair?

The Government of India’s Department of Consumer Affairs launched the Right to Repair India Portal to make repair and maintenance information more accessible to consumers.

The initiative is built around a simple idea: consumers should not be unnecessarily dependent on manufacturers for the repair and maintenance of products they own.

The official portal provides access to information such as warranty and post sales details, spare part information, service provider information and, where available, repair manuals and other resources. (Right to Repair India)

The automobile sector is explicitly included, covering passenger vehicles and electric vehicles.

That matters because modern cars are increasingly complex. Diagnostics, electronic systems, sensors, software and specialised components can make it difficult for independent workshops to provide quality repairs without access to the right information.

The government's stated objective is to democratise access to repair information and help create a stronger ecosystem for third-party repair services. (Press Information Bureau)

Does this mean you can service your car anywhere?

The Right to Repair framework supports consumer choice. The official FAQ specifically states that the portal does not change the consumer’s right to choose and is intended to empower consumers with information about repair options and service providers.

In practical terms, this means you are not simply expected to accept that there is only one possible route for maintaining your vehicle. You can consider an independent or multi-brand workshop based on factors such as:

Quality of work.
Transparency.
Price.
Convenience.
Technical capability.
Use of appropriate parts.

The important part is choosing a competent service provider and maintaining proper records.

What about your warranty?

This is where car owners need to be careful.

A common belief is:

“If I don't service my car at the authorised dealership, my warranty is automatically gone.”

That is too simplistic.

The Right to Repair initiative gives consumers access to warranty and service information and strengthens their ability to make informed decisions. However, it does not mean every warranty condition disappears. Warranty coverage still depends on the applicable warranty terms, exclusions, maintenance requirements and whether a repair or component failure is actually connected to the work performed.

So, choosing an independent workshop should not be confused with ignoring the manufacturer's warranty conditions.

The smart approach is to:

Use appropriate or genuine parts where required.
Follow the manufacturer's prescribed maintenance schedule.
Use qualified technicians.
Keep detailed invoices and service records.
Document what was replaced, repaired or inspected.

This is especially important if you ever need to make a warranty claim.

The Government's Right to Repair portal itself provides consumers with access to manufacturer-provided warranty information and terms, making it easier to check the conditions applicable to a particular vehicle.

What does this mean for you as a car owner?

1. More freedom to choose

You can evaluate service providers based on their capability and transparency rather than assuming that the manufacturer's logo automatically means the best option.

2. Better access to information

The Right to Repair portal is intended to make repair, maintenance, warranty and spare-part information more accessible to consumers. (Right to Repair India)

3. More transparency

Access to information can make it easier to understand what your vehicle needs, what parts are relevant and what warranty terms actually say.

4. A stronger independent repair ecosystem

The Department of Consumer Affairs has specifically highlighted the importance of making repair manuals and other technical information accessible while fostering a robust ecosystem for third-party repair services. (Press Information Bureau)

5. Potentially lower ownership costs

The broader objective of Right to Repair is to help consumers repair and extend the useful life of products rather than replace them unnecessarily. For vehicle owners, better repair choices can potentially mean more competitive servicing and longer vehicle life.

But there is one thing every car owner should remember

Freedom of choice does not mean freedom from responsibility.

An independent workshop is not automatically a good workshop. Before handing over your car, ask:

Are they using the right parts?

Are they following the manufacturer's service requirements?

Will you receive a proper estimate before work begins?

Will the repair and parts be documented on the invoice?

Can they explain exactly what was repaired and why?

That is where transparency becomes just as important as the freedom to choose.

Right to Repair is really about one thing: ownership

When you buy a car, you are not just buying transportation.

You are buying a machine that you will maintain for years.

You should be able to make informed decisions about that maintenance.

You should be able to compare service options.

You should be able to understand what you are paying for.

And you should have access to the information you need to keep your car on the road.

That is the real spirit of Right to Repair.

At CarYaar, we believe car servicing should be built around exactly that principle: choice, transparency and trust.

Your car. Your choice.

Know your rights. Know your car. Choose your workshop wisely.

For more information, visit the Government of India’s Right to Repair India portal and check the warranty, spare-part and service information available for your vehicle.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general consumer awareness and should not be treated as legal advice. Warranty coverage is subject to the specific terms and conditions applicable to your vehicle and manufacturer.