2012 Election Results: Mass. voters approve auto repair question

BOSTON (AP) – Massachusetts voters have approved a ballot question requiring automakers to provide car owners and independent repair shops with access to their diagnostic systems.

Approval of the measure Tuesday came on the same day a compromise right-to-repair law took effect in the state.

The compromise was passed by the Legislature in July but came too late for the question to be removed from the ballot.

The ballot question would supersede the compromise law. Both require all new cars sold in the state include onboard diagnostic and repair information systems. The ballot question calls for the requirement by 2015, while the law gives the industry until 2018.