A Commission staff working document, published by the Council on 24 June 2026, evaluates the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (MVBER) and its Supplementary Guidelines (SGL) for the period 2021-2025, concluding that the rules generally met their objectives and supporting their continuation until expiry on 31 May 2028.
The MVBER block-exempts vertical agreements for spare parts sales and repair/maintenance services from EU competition rules, provided they meet the general Vertical Block Exemption Regulation (VBER) requirements and contain no additional hardcore clauses under Article 5 MVBER. It does not apply to agreements for the distribution of new motor vehicles, which are covered by the general VBER. The evaluation found the rules effective in increasing legal certainty, preventing over- or under-exemption, and protecting competition. However, some stakeholders reported insufficient legal certainty on definitions affected by digitalisation and electrification. Independent repairers and spare parts suppliers reported ongoing difficulties with non-discriminatory access to vehicle-generated data. The evaluation found the instruments efficient in reducing compliance costs and coherent with other EU rules, with only limited reported inconsistencies on data access.
The evaluation flags persistent issues with data access and digitalisation-related definitions that may need addressing before the 2028 expiry. The Commission may propose amendments to the MVBER or SGL to clarify definitions related to digital services and electric vehicle data access. The European Parliament and Council will have the opportunity to review any proposed changes. The evaluation provides a basis for future policy decisions, balancing the interests of vehicle manufacturers, independent repairers, spare parts suppliers, and consumers. Vehicle manufacturers benefit from continued legal certainty for their distribution networks, while independent repairers and spare parts suppliers face ongoing challenges in accessing vehicle data, which could affect competition in the aftermarket. Consumers may experience continued choice and competitive prices for repairs and spare parts, but could face higher costs if data access issues are not resolved. The evaluation suggests that targeted adjustments, rather than a complete overhaul, are likely to be proposed.