By Maryse Galan – LDB Avocats LLP 

On October 5, 2025, significant amendments to the Consumer Protection Act (the “Act”) came into effect regarding obligations related to the sale or lease of vehicles, specifically concerning maintaining and repairing them. 

The Act requires that manufacturers and dealers in the automotive sector ensure that spare parts, repair services, and the necessary information for maintaining or repairing a vehicle are accessible to consumers for a reasonable period after the sale or lease of the vehicle. 

The availability of a spare part, repair service, or information necessary for maintenance or repair must be offered at a reasonable price, meaning a price that does not discourage consumer access. 

The Act also specifies that spare parts provided by the manufacturer must be installable using commonly available tools, without causing irreversible damage to the vehicle. A tool is considered commonly available if it can, for example, be obtained through a remote contract at a reasonable price and within a reasonable time frame. 

The amendments further strengthen the consumer’s right to select the repair shop of their choice for vehicle maintenance or repairs. Manufacturers and/or dealers are required to provide access to the data necessary to facilitate maintenance or repair. Therefore, if a consumer wishes to use an independent garage, the manufacturer and/or dealer must provide access to this data to help identify a problem, maintain the vehicle, or carry out repairs. 

It should be noted that a dealer or manufacturer may be exempt from this obligation if they provided the necessary disclosure to the consumer before the purchase or lease. 

Picture credit : LDB Avocats LLP