Passthru: The revolution in diagnostics and the challenges facing auto repair shops

Today, over 40% of vehicle components are controlled by electronic systems—a figure expected to rise to 50% by 2025 for combustion-engine vehicles, and over 70% for electric and hybrid models. With this growing electronic complexity, diagnostics and maintenance increasingly rely on advanced technology. In fact, by 2023, over 90% of diagnostic issues in vehicles require access to electronic information through protocols like Passthru, which is essential for accessing vehicle control systems, updating software, and resolving critical faults.

As automotive technology evolves, independent garages face growing challenges. Modern vehicles integrate increasingly sophisticated electronic systems that require advanced diagnostic tools. The Passthru protocol for vehicle diagnostics has become indispensable for independent garages, providing direct access to manufacturers’ technical data. However, despite its many advantages, Passthru brings with it several complex challenges. Let’s explore how this revolutionary technology is changing the industry and the difficulties garages must overcome, before introducing an innovative alternative transforming multi-brand diagnostics.

Passthru in Action: Key technical functions for advanced repairs

The Passthru protocol, based on the J2534 standard, allows garages to connect directly to vehicle manufacturers’ servers to perform advanced diagnostics, software updates, and ECU (Electronic Control Unit) reprogramming. But how exactly does this system work, and why is it essential for modern repairs and multi-brand diagnostics?

• ECU Reprogramming and Software Updates: With Passthru, garages can reflash and update a vehicle’s ECU. This is crucial for fixing software bugs, adhering to the latest regulations, and improving vehicle performance. Keeping vehicles compliant with the latest safety and efficiency standards ensures high-quality service for customers.
• Advanced Electronic Diagnostics: With increasingly complex electronic systems controlling everything from engine performance to advanced safety systems, diagnostics is a delicate and vital process. Passthru provides real-time access to a vehicle’s control units, enabling quick and precise analysis to resolve any anomalies.
• Access to Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs): TSBs are official documents from manufacturers that outline known issues, defects, or software updates, along with specific solutions. Using vehicle diagnostic software like Passthru, garages can access these bulletins in real-time, speeding up repairs and ensuring they are performed in compliance with official data.
• Component Coding: When a new part is installed, it often requires coding to ensure it functions correctly within the vehicle’s electronic system. Passthru simplifies this process by ensuring every component is configured to manufacturer specifications.

Adopting the Passthru protocol not only improves service quality but enables garages to successfully manage the increasing complexity of modern vehicles. It’s estimated that garages using Passthru reduce diagnostic and ECU reprogramming times by up to 30% compared to traditional methods.

How Passthru boosts efficiency and precision in your shop

The Passthru protocol for vehicle diagnostics has radically transformed the way independent garages operate, offering access to the same tools and information used by official dealerships. As a result, there has been a significant improvement in repair efficiency and accuracy for modern vehicles.

• Direct and Real-Time Access: By connecting to manufacturers’ servers, garages can receive real-time information on software updates, known technical issues, and official repair procedures. This ensures not only more accurate repairs but also guarantees that vehicles fully meet manufacturer standards. The speed of this data access allows garages to act with greater efficiency.
• Increased Competitiveness: Previously, many complex repairs were the exclusive domain of official dealerships. However, with Passthru, independent garages can now handle even the most sophisticated repairs. This boosts their competitiveness and provides customers with a reliable and more cost-effective alternative to dealership services. Moreover, being able to manage complex jobs independently expands the service offering for garages.
• Time and Resource Optimisation: Thanks to the ability to perform software updates and multi-brand diagnostics directly in-house, Passthru significantly reduces waiting times and the costs associated with sending vehicles to third parties. As a result, garages can handle more repairs in less time, improving productivity and customer satisfaction.

These figures demonstrate how adopting the Passthru protocol is a powerful tool for multi-brand garages, allowing them to cut 30-40% off diagnostic and ECU reprogramming times and save up to €5,000 per year in intervention costs

Passthru Challenges: Technical difficulties every shop should know

Despite the many benefits that the Passthru protocol offers for vehicle diagnostics, garages still face significant challenges. These obstacles can complicate the adoption and utilisation of this technology, sometimes limiting the advantages it promises. The main difficulties include the variety of platforms, associated costs, and heavy reliance on manufacturers.

• Different platforms: While Passthru allows garages to access manufacturer data, each car brand has its own unique system, with completely different software and interfaces. Volkswagen, for instance, uses ODIS (Offboard Diagnostic Information System), while BMW relies on ISTA (Integrated Service Technical Application). As a result, for multi-brand garages, managing multiple platforms can be complex and require significant training for technicians, which can slow down operations.
• Subscription and access costs: Although direct access to manufacturers’ servers is a significant advantage, the associated costs can be a major burden. For example, a subscription to Mercedes-Benz’s Xentry portal is quite expensive, and many manufacturers often impose additional fees for essential services such as ECU reprogramming. These costs can become prohibitive for smaller garages, limiting their ability to compete in the market.
• Specialised equipment: Even though the J2534 standard is widely adopted, some manufacturers require additional specific equipment, increasing the initial investment. For example, Jaguar Land Rover requires the use of the SDD (Symptom Driven Diagnostics) system along with a dedicated Vehicle Communication Interface (VCI). This not only adds to costs but also complicates the integration of Passthru within garages.
• Manufacturer dependency: Another critical aspect is the complete reliance on manufacturers’ servers to obtain the necessary data. Any connectivity issue, server delay, or restriction in accessing information can cause delays in repairs and multi-brand diagnostics, creating inconvenience for both the garage and the customer. Additionally, some manufacturers impose restrictions on certain functionalities, preventing garages from operating with full autonomy and completing specific repairs independently.

While Passthru undoubtedly provides significant advantages in terms of accessing advanced diagnostic data and tools, the technical and operational challenges it presents cannot be overlooked. It is crucial that garages carefully assess these factors before fully adopting the technology. To mitigate the issues associated with Passthru, garages can consider the following solutions:

• Specialised training: Offering targeted training courses to familiarise technicians with different manufacturers’ platforms, such as Volkswagen’s ODIS and BMW’s ISTA.
• Integrated software: Consider purchasing software that simplifies multi-brand management to reduce operational complexity.
• Flexible subscriptions: Opt for short-term or pay-as-you-go subscriptions to lower the financial impact compared to annual solutions.
• Gradual investments: Purchase specialised equipment only when necessary for specific brands or models, avoiding large upfront costs.

By applying these strategies, garages can maximise the benefits of Passthru, maintaining a balance between efficiency and cost.

Atelio Data Efficient Alternative: Multi-brand technical information database

For multi-brand garages, there is a more affordable and efficient alternative to the Passthru system: Atelio Data. Atelio Data is a platform designed for automotive repair professionals, collecting technical information from various manufacturers, standardising it, and centralising it in a single software. This makes it easier to access and use repair and maintenance information.

With Atelio Data, garages can access wiring diagrams, maintenance plans, fault-finding guides, and repair instructions without the need to subscribe to multiple services or rely on manufacturers’ servers. This platform is especially suitable for diagnostics and repairs that do not require reprogramming but still need detailed and precise information. Moreover, it allows efficient management of interventions while ensuring access to accurate, manufacturer-sourced data. This operational efficiency enables garages to handle more daily repairs, saving up to 30% of the time spent on diagnostics and repairs compared to traditional methods.

From a cost perspective, Atelio Data offers significant savings. Unlike OEM system subscriptions via Passthru, which can cost up to €5,000 per year, Atelio Data allows garages to save up to 80%, depending on the subscription type. Furthermore, using this platform eliminates the costs associated with purchasing specialised equipment required for the Passthru protocol, providing greater operational and financial flexibility, particularly for smaller garages.

To learn more about the benefits of Atelio Data, visit the dedicated page or request a free demo to discover how this solution can transform your garage, improve productivity, and reduce operational costs.

Conclusion

The Passthru protocol has transformed the automotive repair industry, enabling garages to access advanced diagnostic tools and manufacturer-specific information. However, it also presents significant challenges, including high costs, the need to manage multiple platforms, and reliance on manufacturer servers. For garages seeking a more integrated and straightforward solution, Atelio Data provides an efficient and cost-effective alternative to Passthru diagnostics, helping to optimise diagnostics and repairs without the obstacles associated with Passthru.

The successful adoption of either of these technologies will depend on the specific needs of each garage, but one thing is certain: the future of vehicle diagnostics will be increasingly digital and connected.

The choices you make today can shape the competitiveness of your garage tomorrow. Are you ready to revolutionise your garage and embrace the future of automotive diagnostics?
Discover how to adapt to the new era of vehicle diagnostics with Atelio Data.

Are you ready to take your shop to the next level with advanced technologies like Passthru? Discover how to adapt to the new era of automotive diagnostics and optimize your workshop with the right tools.

FAQ on Passthru