FAIRFAX, Va. - Newly proposed federal legislation could prove to be a financial boon for privately-owned auto repair shops by evening the playing field between those shops and dealerships, reported the Fairfax Times.

Independent repair businesses find it is much more costly and difficult to receive the same manufacturer repair software and information that dealer-owned shops do.

The act requires car manufacturers to make the same service information and tools available to the small shops that they provide to their franchised dealer networks.

The Motor Vehicle Owner's Right to Repair Act (HR 2057) currently has the support of 51 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, including Virginia Rep. James P. Moran (D-Dist. 8) of Arlington.