Solera Executives Lobbied Congress on Repair Costs
The advocacy push addressed vehicle repair affordability and parts competition for millions of older American cars.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Auto Parts
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Solera leadership met with congressional staff in Washington, D.C., to advocate for policy changes aimed at reducing vehicle repair costs and increasing parts availability. The discussions focused on the repair logistics for the 289 million light vehicles currently on U.S. roads.
Why it matters
With the average age of U.S. light vehicles reaching 12.8 years, rising repair costs have become a significant household burden. The industry push seeks to leverage recycled parts and competition to lower expenses for owners facing issues like catalytic converter theft.
Replacement costs for stolen catalytic converters now average more than $2,500, a figure relevant to the 289 million light vehicles currently in use. Existing regulations like the PART Act already require transaction data retention for at least two years to manage parts transparency.
The players
Solera
A Westlake, Texas-based automotive technology firm that provides software and data services for vehicle insurance and recycling.
NIADA
The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association is a trade group representing independent auto dealers across the country.
The details
Solera executives utilized the NIADA 12th Annual National Policy Conference to argue for broader integration of reconditioned auto parts into the repair ecosystem. By connecting recycling yards that use Hollander solutions to federal policy, the company aims to streamline the availability of affordable, non-OEM repair components. This approach would allow repair shops to pull from a wider network of more than 3,000 recycling yards to mitigate the high costs associated with traditional new-part replacements.
Timeline
The average age of U.S. light vehicles was 12.8 years in 2025.
The NIADA 12th Annual National Policy Conference was held on September 28-29, 2026.
Solera announced the results of its advocacy meetings on October 13, 2026.
The Home Front
The advocacy efforts highlight an ongoing shift toward integrating recycled components into standard maintenance as vehicle repair costs rise. These discussions follow the existing regulatory framework set by the PART Act regarding the traceability and record-keeping of automotive parts.
If you are facing expensive repairs for an older vehicle, verify if your shop uses salvaged or recycled components to potentially lower your bill. Always ensure your mechanic provides a clear estimate that separates labor from parts costs to help you track repair value.
The takeaway
Advocacy efforts in Washington are focusing on using the nation's vast network of recycling yards to combat the rising expense of maintaining aging vehicles. When scheduling repairs, ask your technician about the origin of parts to confirm if high-quality recycled alternatives are available for your model.
Further reading
For more information on how parts availability affects your vehicle service, read our Auto Parts section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Financial Post.
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Should the government intervene to regulate vehicle repair parts and competition to lower your repair costs?
