Marcel Wendt, chief technology officer and founder of Digidentity, highlights that from September, the EU Data Act will require manufacturers to give vehicle owners control over their data, allowing the owners to share it with whichever third parties they desire, including the repairers they choose to use. Given that two-thirds of new cars sold in the UK are now connected in today’s automotive landscape, it shifts the power from the OEM to the consumer.
For dealerships, the EU Data Act rewrites the rules. Access to connected vehicle data has long been locked behind manufacturer-controlled systems, limiting independent businesses from offering competitive services.
Now, that control shifts to the customer. Dealers will be able to access real-time diagnostics, service histories, and vehicle performance data directly, without waiting for manufacturer approval.
At the same time, they must be ready to handle data securely, ensuring compliance while delivering a frictionless customer experience.
With great access comes great responsibility
Data access will no longer be exclusive to manufacturers. The Act mandates that customers can access their vehicle’s data at no extra cost and share it with third parties of their choice.
This means workshops will no longer be left in the dark when customers choose them over a manufacturer’s service network. It levels the playing field, allowing independent repairers and service providers to compete on merit rather than access restrictions.
Third parties will also get an opportunity to offer more personalised, digitally-driven services, tailored to each driver’s specific needs.
For dealerships, this means greater flexibility in aftersales, with the ability to work with a broader range of service providers to meet customer needs. However, transparency comes with responsibility, and customers expect to know exactly how their data is being used.
At Digidentity, we found that 79% of UK drivers choose garages based on trust as their top priority, reinforcing the importance for businesses to ensure data-sharing processes are clear, secure, and fully compliant.
Any uncertainty or lack of clarity risks damaging confidence and sending customers elsewhere.
Turning data into customer loyalty
With direct access to vehicle data, dealers can offer more proactive, personalised services that keep customers engaged. Real-time diagnostics will speed up fault identification, reducing downtime and improving service efficiency.
Predictive maintenance will become a core advantage. Rather than waiting for drivers to report faults, dealers can take the initiative with timely, data-driven service reminders – a small change that makes a big difference.
This shift builds long-term customer loyalty, as drivers will see clear benefits in sharing their data with a dealership they trust.
The used car market will see a shake-up too. Today, missing service histories create uncertainty for buyers, making it harder for dealerships to justify pricing and reassure customers about quality.
With full access to digital service records, dealerships can provide verified histories that separate high-quality stock from the rest, giving buyers confidence in their purchase.
Stronger security, stronger business
Security will be top of mind for drivers. At the end of the day, mishandling data is a fast track to losing customer trust. 64% of drivers feel they lack control over how their vehicle’s data is protected, reinforcing the need for businesses to evidence that their information is protected and only shared with authorised parties.
Here identity verification plays a key role, ensuring that only verified individuals and businesses can access vehicle data, preventing fraud and unauthorised use.
Importantly, it’s not just the vehicle owner’s identity that must be verified. The Act also recognises that drivers, such as company car users or leased vehicle drivers, may have rights over how their data is processed and shared. Dealerships must be able to securely verify both the driver and the owner when handling data requests.
For dealerships, integrating secure verification measures will not only establish trust, but meet regulatory requirements – with The Act requiring that dealerships to handle data-sharing requests in an efficient manner.
Customer expectations
Customers will expect a smooth, user-friendly process when granting or revoking access to their vehicle data. This means that dealers who act early with preparing, will be better placed when the regulation comes into full force.
The automotive industry is entering a new phase, where access to vehicle data will be a deciding factor in customer relationships and business success.
Dealers who are prepared for this shift will gain an advantage, offering services that are more responsive, more transparent, and more aligned with customers’ expectations.
Those who embrace secure data-sharing models and transparent customer interactions will be in a far stronger position than those who only do the minimum to comply.
Marcel Wendt is CTO and founder of Digidentity