asTech responds to Honda position statement by explaining OEM-only customization option
While asTech’s “OEM Compatible, or OEM-C” solution was addressed by Honda in an updated position statement as not being acknowledged as a proper diagnostic scan for the company, asTech has responded that it still has an option for shops that follow Honda protocols.
Honda released a position statement last month that said 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.
The statement adds that American Honda does not test other scan tools or remote diagnostic services and cannot comment on their capabilities or accuracy.
“Diagnostic scan tools or software marketed as ‘OEM Compatible or OEM-C’ have no history of being tested or validated by American Honda,” a new bullet in the statement says. “Consequently, ‘OEM Compatible’ or ‘OEM-C’ scans should not be acknowledged as a proper OEM Diagnostic Scan for Honda and Acura vehicles. The use of the i-HDS software is the only way to perform a proper OEM Diagnostic Scan for Honda and Acura vehicles.”
OEM Compatible (OEM-C) is the term asTech uses to describe aftermarket scans , which the company has vetted in their Rules Engine. The company’s Rules Engine claims to use data from tens of thousands of scans to determine when a remote OEM scan is needed or when an aftermarket scan can be used.
Andy Noyes, asTech senior vice president of sales and strategic accounts, said any shop can customize the Rules Engine to the way they want scans performed, including setting the tool to perform only OEM scans.
“Any person who picks up that can tool at that shop will only have OEM options,” Noyes said about the OEM-only customization.
Shops are also able to customize by vehicle or model, he said. For instance, Subaru and Honda vehicles could be set for OEM-only scans, while Ford could be set to allow OEM-C, or aftermarket scans, if there is a “compatible” option based on asTech’s research.
Noyes also explained that while some companies download OEM software onto their device, asTech has a data center full of OEM tools. When a request comes in, asTech uses the scan tool at the data center for the scan.
Honda’s clear position statement is positive for the industry, Noyes said.
“What Honda just did is great,” Noyes said. “They came out and said, it is the position of American Honda that all vehicles involved in a collision must have the following diagnostic scans, inspection, and calibrations.”
Honda said they don’t accept aftermarket, Noyes said.
“From a customer body shop perspective, not every OEM gives them definitive language that says require or must, and that creates an argument between them and the insurance companies, and they are put into a corner to use other tools,” Noyes said. “That is why these other scan tools exist; we needed a solution that would provide customer choice.”
Noyes said OEM is the gold standard.
“We wish everyone would do OEM, and we wish every OEM had language like Honda,” Noyes said.
Those using OEM scans through asTech can find an original OE scan report in their customer portal, Noyes added. He said certified shops can show the reports to OEMs during annual audits.
Last August, Repairify launched an asTech Mechanical tool, which the company says is a separate line of business from its collision products, and works specifically with remote OEM tools. “The Rules Engine (and its related testing) is specifically designed for our collision line of business,” asTech indicated at the time.
asTech also recently released a commercial focused on the Rules Engine. It advertises the control shops have over the customization.
“You decide how scans are selected based on your OEM certifications, insurance DRP requirements, or MSO preferences,” the commercial says. “For example, if you’re working on a Subaru, you can automatically require an OEM scan every time, ensuring you stay in compliance without slowing down your workflow. This flexibility means you can scan faster, smarter, and more cost-effectively without compromising quality. Whether you prioritize speed, savings, or specific OEM protocols, asTech helps you deploy the right tool for the job every time.”
GEICO, which entered into a standardized price agreement with asTech last summer, claimed in an email sent to its Auto Repair Xpress (ARX) shops that the OEM-C option has been verified to yield results equivalent to an OEM tool.
“We will base consideration for pre-/post-scans on the recommendations from the patented and proprietary asTech Rules Engine,” GEICO’s email to its shops said at the time. “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.
Mike Anderson, owner of Collision Advice, raised concerns during a Collision Industry Conference (CIC) open mic about GEICO making a decision based on the tool’s recommendation on whether an OEM or aftermarket tool could be used for the scan.
“So they’re determining that,” Anderson said. “Not the shop, not the consumer, not the OEM certification program, but their software device. So if that’s accurate, I have concerns over that because it’s pulling the collision repair specialist or expert out of that equation.”
Soon after the GEICO announcement, Subaru reaffirmed with its Certified Collision Network (SCCN) via email that it does not approve OEM-C scans.
“To remain compliant 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.”
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Photo courtesy of asTech