I wonder if the locking and subsequent blocking of the ability to access would be a restrictive practice? Not a problem to keep an item within warranty or even beyond under the " fitness for purpose" or "reasonable expected life" that can continue beyond warranty.
By modifying the ecu then if any problems occur that are influenced by that mod then rights would be forfeited.
This appears to be happening with remapped cars where problems have arisen post remap and manufacturers/dealers argue their case using this as a get-out.
I was following such a case in Pistonheads re a dealer selling a car as " standard" but a remap was found when faults occured later. The car basically blew an after market exhaust not an OE one. The dispute was based on the dealer claiming the car was sold as in OE condition whilst the buyer argued they had not checked the mapping . If I remember correctly the buyer won his claim as the dealer and manufacturer didn't checkfor or pick up the remap before selling it.
Also, if you remap but later sell the car will that be declared to the buyer?
It looks like a legal minefield. Manufacturer locks it to safeguard themselves versus buyer not able to modify what has become HIS property.
