Clive, manufacturers do provide data and diagnostic equipment. The problem is they need to protect the investment they have made in research and development. So they use stalling tactics releasing information etc. If their hand was forced with regards block exemption they will simply provide has much data and information as you need at a massive cost. A cost that they know the independents cannot afford. So you are fighting a losing battle. The future of independent car repair is very uncertain at the moment. I could also go on about the advancement of vehicle technology and the skills gap between electronic graduates who design the cars and the people like you and me who repair them.
P.S If a car technician revolution is on the cards I don't think it will start in this country it will probably start in France, remember the French farmers blockading the ports and bringing France to its knees to stop the import of British beef !!!!! "Viva La France"
Paul...