AAPEX 2025 | MEMA Leader: Quick Lube Operators’ Voices Matter in REPAIR Act Push

Right-to-repair legislation was a hot-button issue for speakers during a media and member briefing hosted by MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers on Wednesday morning at AAPEX in Las Vegas.

With bipartisan bills having been introduced in both chambers of Congress—H.R. 1566 and S. 1379—the time is now for quick lube operators to connect with their local legislators to show the value their businesses bring and why the REPAIR Act is needed, said Paul McCarthy, president of MEMA’s Aftermarket Suppliers group.

“It sounds like a lot, but Congress people love visiting this stuff,” McCarthy told NOLN. “These are local businesses. These are local jobs, even if you're part of a chain, employing people in our communities. So, invite them to visit your facility. Certainly, speak to them. This really is democracy in action. Tell them that this matters, that your business matters, the jobs you create matter.”

As discussed on stage at the AAPEX opening keynote on Tuesday, industry leaders see the REPAIR Act as critical to ensuring fair competition for automotive aftermarket businesses, which includes quick lube shops. McCarthy credited quick lube operators for helping to push the legislation toward the finish line.

“The lube community have been huge supporters in this Congress of our coalition, trying to ensure that we keep competition in repair. And quick lube shops are a perfect example of that convenience, that affordability,” McCarthy said. “This is what we need. We need to get our vehicles repaired as easily, quickly, and affordably as possible.
And the industry is vital to that, which is why we need the REPAIR Act.

“One of the things (we have) found is really basic repairs on some of the newer vehicles as they come in and with the architectures that, in a moment, it can be shut off. Our ability to turn off the check engine light, to do basic things, like brake jobs and fundamental, simple repairs quick lube shops are doing. We won't be able to do some of that as we look to the future unless we continue to get that market competition in repairs.”

McCarthy also stressed that in endorsing right-to-repair legislation, automotive aftermarket industry leaders aren’t looking for a leg up, but rather a level playing field.

“All we're asking is what has worked for consumers for 100 years,” McCarthy said. “Allow that market competition. And again, the (quick lube) sector is such a great example of that competition. We can't have that reach that consumers need and we can't have that convenience that consumers need unless we have that market competition. And by the way, whoever does it best, they win in the marketplace. We're OK with that.”