The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) is a nonprofit that works with state and federal governments, OEMs, law enforcement agencies and other organizations to close the gaps in OEM service and tool information for independent repairers, and combat high-tech vehicle theft through a service professional credentialing program.
Donny Seyfer, executive officer for NASTF, spoke about his organization’s efforts and how they benefit collision repairers during the latest episode of AirPro Diagnostics' TechTalk360 webinar series.
Seyfer said NASTF was founded in 2000 by automakers and the independent aftermarket with a mission to identify and resolve gaps in information about OE service, tools and availability, and training. It differs from www.oem1stop.com because it’s aimed at the technical side of repairs, he said.
Right to Repair
Only two states, Maine and Massachusetts, currently have a Right to Repair law that covers the automotive industry, guaranteeing independent repairers’ access to vehicle repair data. All other states and the federal level are covered by “a tapestry of agreements and regulations,” Seyfer said.
NASTF provides a “level playing field for all industry professionals” by working with OEMs on behalf of its members, and acting as a liaison when a member needs to speak directly to an OEM.
“The good news: 87% of OEMS comply,” Seyfer said.
Becoming a Member
There are three levels of NASTF membership. The free level provides access to OEM pages that include each brand’s service, subscription and support information, as well as any links to the OEM’s website for additional resources.
Free members can also make Service Information Requests when they run into an issue they can’t resolve. There used to be a phone number to call, but Seyfer said the membership has grown to the point NASTF can’t handle the call volume, so it recently implemented a Support Ticketing System.
“Now we call you,” Seyfer said. The turnaround is generally 40 minutes to two hours.
He said most inquiries can be solved just by emailing back a link to an existing document on the website. If it can’t be done in at least two emails, NASTF will call the member.
“We can do up to 400 tickets a day” this way, Seyfer said.
Members can also browse the Knowledge Base, searchable by VIN, model year or technical problem, based on questions NASTF has gotten from members.
“There are 400+ tech documents for programming cars and security operations,” Seyfer said. “Technicians had to learn how to fix these problems the hard way.”
AIR Security Technician
For a one-time $45 fee, members can become an AIR Security Technician. In addition to the benefits for free members, AIR Security Technicians get access to the additional resources linked on the OEM pages and remote programming.
Vehicle Security Professional Registry
Since 2007, NASTF has run the Vehicle Security Professional (VSP) Registry program, part of its Secure Data Release Model, which allows OEMs to share security related information and tool functions with independent repairers and locksmiths.
The SDRM and registry is meant to combat the use of technology that has contributed to a surge in vehicle thefts, by securing the tools used to make new key fobs -- now the No. 1 way to steal a car -- to deter would-be thieves from breaking into repair shops and locksmith vans and, in some cases, even ambushing the locksmiths themselves to steal them.
“We haven’t seen [theft] numbers like this since before vehicles had anti-theft systems,” Seyfer said. Thefts topped 1 million for the year in 2022 and 2023.
NASTF only credentials professionals who have a legit business and reason they need access to vehicles’ security information. Registration costs $425 every two years.
“We do a background check unlike anything else in the auto industry,” Seyfer said.
The next step is requiring a VSP ID to use an aftermarket scan tool to add a new key or do an immobilizer reset. Transactions will also be stored in a database.
“We’re trying to stop the tool theft by making them only useful to who owns it,” Seyfer said.
The VSP verification process will not otherwise affect diagnostic functions on those tools.
“You do not have to be a VSP to use the tool, except to perform those functions,” Seyfer said. He said it mostly applies to locksmiths, but collision repairers should register for a VSP ID in case they need to.
Seyfer said the registry is “not a money grab, not a way to lock you out of your tools, or government intervention.”
“It’s kinda punishing the good actors because bad actors cause us the problems, so we all have to step up,” he said. “It’s not going away, so let’s just embrace it and all try to make it as easy and powerful as possible.”
Seyfer said not all aftermarket scan tools are launching the VSP ID requirement at the same time, but he thinks the companies not participating will change their minds when other tools aren’t being used in crimes anymore.
Jordan Hendler, who co-hosted the webinar, said she thinks background checks will become “the next thing in [the collision repair] industry,” as repairers are able to access personal data stored in more vehicles.
George Avery, who also co-hosted, said he thinks that could boost a repairer’s credibility in customers’ eyes.
“It can show I’ve crossed the T’s and dotted the I’s and will make sure nothing happens with that vehicle information,” he said.
The next AirPro Diagnostics TechTalk360 webinar is set for Sept. 25.
Abby Andrews