Making Tracks: The Auto Repair Report
Our report provides a snapshot of the auto repair industry from the last 12 months.
Using FixMyCar data, we look at what’s happening in auto repair fuelled by driver behaviour.
Key Findings
Making Tracks: The Auto Repair Report analyses data from both drivers and garages using FixMyCar over the last 12 months to highlight the key trends driving auto repair.
Quote values for core services have risen on average by 7% over the last year. Quotes for clutch replacements have risen by £50 per job since last year, while the average job value has increased by nearly £18.
Rising costs are causing drivers to be more cautious when booking repairs and maintenance. The number of drivers accepting quotes within 24 hours has declined by 2.4% over the last 12 months.
Driver sentiment is shifting in favour of electric and hybrid vehicles. The number of drivers who say their next purchase will be a petrol or diesel car has dropped by 40% over the last year.
Good online reviews and transparent pricing matter the most to drivers. Only 29% of drivers cared about finding low prices for car repairs; the majority wanted a garage they could trust.
Timing chain repairs are the most lucrative opportunity for garages. Around 13,000 timing chain repairs were completed through FixMyCar in the past 12 months, with an average job value of £1,090.
Resilience: The foundation of the auto repair industry
"This past year has been one of great challenge and change for the automotive aftermarket. The recent downturn in volume and revenue has been felt across the industry, and while this cannot be ignored, we should not be disheartened.
In the face of these challenges, the aftermarket is showing signs of resilience. While we tackle rising operational costs and inflation, as well as supply chain delays and continued workforce shortages, the bigger picture provides evidence that this is just another storm to be weathered.
Opportunities for stability and growth in the aftermarket continue to present themselves. Household spending on vehicle maintenance reached over £21 billion in 2024, the used car market is thriving and electric vehicle sales captured a record market share in the last 12 months.
All of this reminds us that our industry is strong, agile and value-driven. We are supported by a robust consumer demand and an extensive supply chain network, all of which underpins the wider automotive industry. I look ahead with much anticipation for what the future of our industry will bring and how the opportunities we seize today will evolve."
Amanda Webb – CEO at FixMyCar
Advice from our Experts
Growing a successful auto repair business is no easy task in today’s climate, yet so many garages on our network do it well. We asked some of the garage and driver experts at FixMyCar for their best advice for garage owners based on the trends and insights they see day to day.
Matt Wrankmore – Head of Garage Network
"One of the best ways garages can boost their success is by making it quick and easy for customers to say yes, particularly when we know drivers are taking more time to consider their bookings. I recommend using auto-pricing to provide instant, transparent quotes that factor in parts and labour. This will not only save mechanics time spent manually quoting for work, but it will also build trust with customers and increase bookings. Reviewing auto-quotes regularly is essential to ensure they remain an asset to your business and continue to attract new customers."
Read more advice from our experts in our new report
Case Study
Dropless Ltd
Based in London
Joined FixMyCar March 2025
5* average driver rating
Problem:
When Dropless Ltd approached FixMyCar, they were primarily bodywork specialists, but they wanted to expand their services to include more mechanical mobile repairs. Going up against the mobile groups with similar area coverage, Dropless turned to FixMyCar to help them bring in more work opportunities.
Solution:
FixMyCar first considered the areas the group wanted to cover, the existing mobile mechanics operating in those areas, and their main competitors. After reviewing the competition, the priority was to refine Dropless’ profile and mobile offering, making them clear and concise, while highlighting their 24-hour-or-less response time and the warranty options provided on repairs. This ensured drivers knew exactly what to expect from Dropless Ltd from the start.
We also advised them that the most effective way to win work through FixMyCar is by using AutoQuotes. Activating this feature and consistently managing customer messages proved essential for handling enquiries more efficiently. To support this, we introduced regular account management meetings with Dropless to track performance and provide complete transparency through reporting.
Results:
The group began securing more work by fully utilising the features of the FixMyCar platform, with performance reports confirming the results they had been aiming for. Dropless Ltd has since experienced significant growth in both job wins and overall revenue, all while maintaining competitive pricing. By following our advice, Dropless has continued to go from strength to strength and build on this success.
Learn more about how garages have enhanced their business with FixMyCar in our report.
Contact
For more information about Making Tracks: The Auto Repair Report and its findings, please contact [email protected]
