The number of UK vehicle service and repair outlets fell by almost a quarter in the ten years from 2001 to 2011. That is one of the key findings of the 2012 Castrol Professional Car Servicing & Repair Trend Tracker report. The reports states that in 2001 there were some 27,000 garages and this figure fell to 21,000 by 2011. 

The report also says that service volumes in the UK market are continuing to fall, although the actual value of the overall aftermarket has expanded slightly to £8.97bn, excluding MOTs and VAT.

The Castrol report predicts a further decline in workshop numbers over the coming years with a further 7% expected to be lost by 2017.

Commenting on the drop in workshop numbers over the last decade, Trend Tracker’s  Chris Oakham said: “Falling service volumes and a near-stagnant car parc have left many workshops struggling.” He added, “Small businesses across the economy are being affected by inflation in fixed costs, while advances in modern vehicles electronics require greater investment in training and diagnostics equipment.”

Nigel Head, of Castrol, commented: “To maximise service bay utilisation, workshops must be proactive in getting their message across to motorists and  highlighting the value of having their car regularly serviced and maintained.”