Increased car usage ‘offers business boost for garages’

19 August 2024  

Latest UK figures showing a surge in the use of cars for daily domestic travel presents significant business opportunities for garages, the Independent Garage Association announced today.

Department of Transport data comparing current transport usage to pre-pandemic levels reveals a significant trend, the IGA said.

Car usage has not only returned to but has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, while methods of public transport including buses, National Rail, and the London Tube network, continue to fall behind.

According to the DoT’s figures updated on August 14, as of this month motor traffic in Great Britain has reached 103% of its pre-Covid-19 levels, indicating a strong and sustained reliance on private vehicles, the IGA said.

In contrast, public transport usage remains below pre-pandemic levels, with buses outside London at 70%, National Rail at 88%, and the London Tube at 75% of 2019 usage levels.

IGA chief executive Stuart James said the data highlights a critical shift in how the public is choosing to travel post-pandemic.

“The sustained increase in car usage presents a significant opportunity for the independent garage sector. As more people rely on their personal vehicles, the demand for maintenance, repairs, and overall vehicle care will continue to grow.

“Independent garages are uniquely positioned to meet this demand, providing essential services that ensure vehicle longevity and safety.”

As the public continues to favour private vehicle usage over public transport, independent garages can expect to see a steady or even increased volume of customers requiring a wide range of services, from routine check-ups and diagnostics to more complex repairs, he said.

The IGA also cited data released last year by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) in its ‘Vehicles In Use’ report. According to the ACEA, the average car in the UK is now 10 years old.

This average age will likely increase in the coming years due to a notable decline in new car sales. ACEA’s findings showed that 21.5 million of the 36.7 million cars registered in the UK are less than 10 years old.

Key advice from the IGA for garages includes:

• Prepare for a sustained increase in service demand;
• Focus on vehicle longevity — as car owners rely more heavily on their vehicles, there will be a heightened focus on maintaining performance and extending their lifespan;
• Shifting service areas — as the data also suggests that as public transport usage remains lower, there may be a shift in service demand from urban centres to suburban and rural areas, where car dependency is higher. Garages in these regions could see increased business as a result.