Manufacturer OEM parts

this is not uncommon throughout the appliance industry now, also.
7 years is what the repairman told me when he worked on our wash machine. Parts will be obsolete and the appliance is consider scrap or recyclable.

It sometimes called a sunset date when a manufacturer looks at the life cycle of a product.
Computers and cell phones are an example of a product that improved almost year by year, and replaced often

I do not know of any laws about parts availability or how they would even get passed ?

Should be 20 years………Oh I forgot since nothing lasts 20 years anymore, they don't need to make parts available.

Fortunately — in my view — there is no such law or regulation, even in the EU which is usually full Karen on such things. The only area where this can present a real problem is if the part is patented. Then, unless the OEM is willing to license the patent, there can be problems..

Otherwise, if there is a market for the part someone, somewhere, is going to be making it. Not, unhappily, necessarily tp OEM quality (a real problem in the automotive industry) but at least available. Now again depending on market forces, it may or may not be cost effective to buy and replace it!

There is an interesting situation in the automotive and heavy machinery side on this — and it may also be true on the HVAC sie. As a general rule, if the fault or problem is traced to something with a computer chip or even solid state chip such as a solid state relay, it's going to be a good deal less trouble to junk at least the item in question and substitute a new one than it will be to try to repair or even replace it, like for like, unless you have to (in some extreme automotive cases it's going to be cheaper to junk the whole car than it is to replace some of the faulty "modules" — EV power and battery systems being a good example of that.

I don't think our fancier boilers have gotten there yet, but I dare say that that might apply to the control systems for them.

yup.

There was a big to-do about auto repairs around here a few years ago. I don't know if this is nationwide or just here but the automakers fought it for years

The Massachusetts Right to Repair law, passed in 2020, mandates that automakers provide vehicle owners and independent repair shops access to telematics data, enhancing consumer choice and repair options.

Overview of the Law

The Right to Repair law in Massachusetts was approved by voters in November 2020 with approximately 75% support. This law requires automakers to allow vehicle owners and independent repair facilities access to the data generated by their vehicles, particularly through telematics systems. This data is crucial for diagnosing and repairing vehicles, especially as modern cars become increasingly reliant on technology and software. WBUR+1

Key Provisions

• Access to Telematics Data: Starting with model year 2022 vehicles, manufacturers must provide a standardized platform for telematics data that owners can access via a mobile application. This allows owners to share this information with independent repair shops. 2
• Legal Enforcement: The law allows consumers and repair shops to sue manufacturers for triple damages or $10,000 if they fail to comply with the data-sharing requirements. 1
• Consumer Empowerment: The law aims to empower consumers by ensuring they can choose where to have their vehicles repaired, rather than being limited to manufacturer-approved dealerships. 1
• 3 Sources

Legal Challenges

The law faced significant legal challenges from automakers, who argued that it could compromise vehicle safety and consumer privacy. However, a federal judge dismissed the remaining claims against the law in early 2025, allowing it to be enforced. This ruling was celebrated by advocates who view the law as a victory for consumer rights and competition in the automotive repair market. WBUR+1

Current Status

As of June 2023, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell began enforcing the Right to Repair law, marking a significant step in its implementation after years of legal battles. The law is seen as a landmark measure in the ongoing Right to Repair movement, which advocates for consumer rights to repair their own devices and vehicles without manufacturer restrictions. Boston.com+1
In summary, the Massachusetts Right to Repair law represents a significant shift in the automotive industry, promoting transparency and consumer choice in vehicle repairs. It is a crucial development for both vehicle owners and independent repair shops, ensuring they have the necessary access to repair data.

Actually I have some sympathy for the automotive and heavy equipment manufacturers. Why? Because in many States — particularly those following California — if equipment is modified or repaired in such a way as to alter emissions, guess who pays? The manufacturer! Not the bozo who messed up the equipment. This creates a very powerful incentive for the manufacturer to figure out how to keep the bozo out of the equipment…

So in a way you can't blame them…

Here they would never dream of actually fining the kids deleting their diesel emissions systems. its really easy to tell when someone does it, its quiet up here you can hear them from miles away, you can see the black smoke. They have gone after a mechanic shop for advertising it as a service but thats it.. Whether you care about the emissions or not the kids deleting those emissions are doing it so they can be loud and obnoxious and blow black smoke all over the neighborhood so they can put it on tiktok. and then they cry because their truck has early parts failures. I could go on and on about this one, im related to one of those kids and it is one of my biggest pet peeves, and the third highest source of stress in my life.

What an interesting dialogue! I work as a machinist and some of the equipment is rather high dollar, and buying stuff that has tech support and parts is the number one factor well above price.

I have noticed a lot of items bought on Amazon or other online Sellers that come from China are nowhere to be found a year later. It appears they crank out product and then dissolve to prevent liability. This is why buying local in any merchandise form usually carries the most security. Local businesses often hold a higher standard, and often will make good or make repairs because they respect your dollar.

Big business makes it cheap but at the cost of practically "sold as is" many times, which sometimes is fine, but not for something you want to last decades. This is what makes me as a home owner leery about a new heating system that is heavily electronically driven. Import items. Delays. My locally built boiler company is still in business and the only electronic needed is a electric motor, everything is made by good old fashioned fabrication, welding and machining. They still make parts and my boiler is nearly 70 years old. Wish I could say the same for my car,