What if a simple legislative change could increase your vehicle portfolio's residual values by 10-15%? In this updated solo episode, host John Lewis delves into the rapidly evolving Right to Repair movement and its significant implications for the auto finance industry.
Starting with a real-world story of a $12,000 Tesla repair (with some repairs now reaching $20,000), John breaks down how repair monopolies artificially drive down vehicle values and increase loan risk. He examines the federal REPAIR Act (H.R. 1566), which was reintroduced in February 2025 with strong bipartisan support, and analyzes data from Massachusetts' pioneering 2020 legislation.
With 20 states now pursuing right-to-repair legislation and 41 bills being tracked across product categories, this isn't a future trend—it's happening now. John reveals why repair costs ranging from $1,500 to $3,000 at dealers drop to $500 to $800 when independent shops have access and explores the emerging alliance between insurance companies and repair advocates.
Key insights include how right to repair could extend vehicle lifespans, reduce total loss declarations, and fundamentally reshape depreciation curves—especially for EVs and luxury vehicles. John provides specific action items for auto finance professionals, including the critical need to monitor state-level legislation that's creating regional variations in vehicle values.
This episode is essential listening for anyone involved in auto lending, leasing, or vehicle valuation who wants to stay ahead of a regulatory shift that could impact billions in portfolio value.
Key Topics Covered:
- February 2025 REPAIR Act reintroduction and bipartisan support
- October 2025 government shutdown impact on legislative timeline
- 20 states with active EV-focused right-to-repair legislation (full list included)
- EV battery diagnostic access and telematics platform requirements
- How repair monopolies drive vehicle depreciation
- Massachusetts implementation results and real-world data
- Specific repair cost comparisons across vehicle segments
- Insurance industry alignment with right-to-repair advocates
- Cybersecurity concerns and manufacturer counterproposals
- Loan-to-value ratio implications and portfolio risk assessment
- State-by-state monitoring strategies for lenders
- Practical preparation steps for auto finance professionals
Show Notes:
- H.R. 1566 - The REPAIR Act (February 2025 reintroduction)
- S. 1379 - Senate companion bill
- 20 States with Active EV Right to Repair Legislation: California, New York, Maine, Massachusetts, Illinois, Colorado, Texas, Florida, Vermont, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Missouri, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Delaware
- Massachusetts Right to Repair Law impact data (2020-2025)
- State-by-state EV repair legislation tracker
- Independent shop repair cost analysis
- Residual value modeling considerations
- Regional valuation variance reports
Head over to www.theultimateautofinanceguide.com now and grab your digital copy now. Trust me, it's the smartest investment you'll make before buying your next car."
"Head over to Amazon and grab your copy today! Just search for 'Drive to Success: The Ultimate Auto Finance Guide' or use the link https://a.co/d/c9wAynw in our show notes. Take control of your car-buying experience and drive away with confidence!"
Email me at: masteringautofinance@gmail.com
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