In an email sent to its Certified Collision Network (SCCN), Subaru reaffirmed that it requires the use of Subaru Select Monitor (SSM) software for vehicle scans and does not approve “OEM compatible” scans. 

Subaru notes that asTech recently announced a new Rules Engine that informs shops if an OEM-compatible scan is available. 

The proper configuration would seemingly also be applicable to all businesses, certified or not, who wish to perform scans in accordance with Subaru’s documented position on Pre- and Post-Scanning of Collision Vehicles.

The OEM says it will continue to approve asTech remote diagnostic scanning as one of the options for SCCN standards. However, it says the Rules Engine must be configured to comply with Subaru standards. 

The email from Subaru gives steps locations must take to configure the Rules Engine. This includes calling asTech customer service. 

“To remain complaint with the Subaru standards, a rule must be requested through asTech customer service for all instances performing either a pre- or post-scan on 2004 or newer Subaru the scan type be set at ‘OEM Required’ regardless of any additional rules as set by DRPs or other providers,” the email says. “Once completed, the rule will be updated by the Rules Engine team within 48 hours.” 

Subaru states that the Rules Engine can be configured by calling asTech customer service at 888-486-1166 and choosing option 2. The shop will need to provide information such as shop name, address, phone number, and device serial number (SN#). Once completed, the rule will be updated by the Rules Engine team within 48 hours, Subaru’s email says.

GEICO announced in July an agreement for standardized pricing with asTech. One criticism has been that it appears GEICO will prioritize the recommendation of asTech’s Rules Engine on whether an aftermarket scan is a sufficient replacement for an OEM scan. 

“We will base consideration for pre-/post-scans on the recommendations from the patented and proprietary asTech Rules Engine,” GEICO said in a July email to Auto Repair Express (ARX) network shops. “The Rules Engine uses data from tens of thousands of scans to determine when a remote OEM scan is needed or when a local OEM-compatible scan can be used, which has been verified to yield equivalent results to that of an OEM tool. GEICO shops using the asTech Rules Engine will be eligible for an OEM or OEM-compatible scan if they correctly follow the Rules Engine process in selecting the appropriate scan for the vehicle.” 

GEICO adds that shops utilizing asTech’s All-In-One will receive prioritized access and special pricing. It notes the pricing structure will not address every scanning and calibration operation and “some negotiations may still need to be supported by good documentation.” 

“Shops not using the asTech All-In-One device may need to supply additional documentation to justify procedures or pricing that deviates from those provided,” the email states. 

Repairify, which owns asTech, told Repairer Driven News in a prepared statement earlier this month that the GEICO agreement reinforces the importance of OEM scanning when it’s required for a safe and proper repair. 

“This is the first time an insurer is using an empirical data-driven decision-making process to assist them in determining when an OEM scan is necessary,” Repairify said. 

Yet, Subaru is saying there is a way to configure the tool to result in OEM-only responses. asTech did not previously respond when asked if the Rules Engine output may be more subjective, based on the settings rather than empirical, as suggested in the statement. 

asTech also did not provide a direct response to RDN about how repair facilities that are certified by an OEM and intent on following the manufacturer requirements within a certification program might remain compliant.

In a collision position statement released by Ford in 2022, the OEM says, “It is important to utilize Ford Motor Company OEM repair procedures for all collision repairs for quality results. Vehicle diagnostic testing, including pre/post scanning, module programming, and system calibrations is to be conducted using required Ford Motor Company diagnostic software and recommended hardware.”

GM’s pre- and post-scan position statement from 2022 says, “The method to correctly identify vehicle diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) is by using the appropriate GM diagnostic software which can scan a vehicle for all DTCs in one operation. GM diagnostic software is supported by GM-approved diagnostic scan tools. GM does not recommend the use of other scan tools and cannot guarantee their accuracy.” 

A March 2024 position statement from Honda says, “American Honda’s position is that the only way to accurately determine the post-collision status of all Honda and Acura vehicle electronic control systems is with the factory-authorized diagnostic software, i-HDS.” 

A 2019 collision repair statement from Nissan says, “Nissan North America recommends the use of the CONSULT diagnostic scan tool with the most up-to-date software installed. Nissan North America does not test or validate other diagnostic scan tools in the market and cannot comment on their capabilities or accuracy. Using the CONSULT diagnostic scan tool, stored DTCs are identified, validated, and then addressed within the repair process.” 

A recent Facebook post by asTech says the Rules Engine provides two guaranteed accurate diagnostic scan options that are designed to complement, not override, OEM standards:

• • An authentic remote OEM diagnostic scan through asTech’s patented technology.
  • A certified OEM-Compatible scan performed car side. This is a scan that has been verified – through side-by-side testing – to provide results that are equivalent to the authentic OEM tool scan.

“We’ve performed tens of thousands of vehicle scans against the active car parc to identify which of the top aftermarket scan tools yield the same results as the authentic OEM tools,” the post says. :And we continue to gather and refresh this data with ongoing research. It’s this data that informs when a scan is truly OEM-Compatible and in the coming weeks we’ll have more information about how we test and verify OEM-Compatible scans.”

The post also provides a link an FAQ page for the Rules Engine. The page notes the Rules Engine can be customized to fit the business needs of a shop.

“Custom rules can be set up for OEM position statements, OEM certifications, shop preference, insurance relations, and more,” the page says.

It also says asTech’s team will work with businesses to customize the rule set of the Rules Engine to meet specific needs for each OEM certification.

IMAGES

Photo courtesy of tomeng/iStock