Car repair skills are being lost as expertise is devalued, says report

Car bodyshop repairers are facing a bleak future, says the latest report from Trend Tracker. Among its highlights are forecasts that by 2015 the number of repairers will shrink by 18pc, there will be 5pc fewer repairs being carried out and there will be a shortfall of 9pc in capacity, leading to longer periods before vehicles are back on the roads. It points out that in the last ten years, 2,000 bodyshops have closed their doors and the future scenarios suggests there will be a real shortage of skilled repairers to work in the sector.
Trend Tracker director Chris Oakham said, “In the medium term, insurers should be concerned that they will find it increasingly difficult to satisfy their customers with rapid and convenient repairs, with so many bodyshops likely to cease trading when their owners retire – if not before, due to financial problems.” Oakham also cautions investors and lenders in the sector. “Investors in the car body repair sector should beware of generally weak or non-existent returns, and consider that not many consolidation opportunities remain in a sector offering few advantages for the small number of larger players in the market. “For existing operators, one of the few opportunities available to improve market share and margins will be in becoming specialised – in particular makes, and in particular repair techniques. As others fail to invest, those that do may prosper from their rivals’ weakness.” For the sector as a whole, Oakham expects further decline, to the ultimate disadvantage of consumers and insurance companies, and the gradual erosion of the skills base needed to repair tomorrow’s cars to assure their continued safety.		The UK’s happiest car dealers have Nissan models in their showrooms. The results of Car Dealer Magazine’s Car Dealer Power survey are in, and Nissan has been named the best manufacturer to represent in the UK. Car Dealer Power is a ground-breaking independent survey aiming to canvas the opinions of the UK’s car dealers on all aspects of the manufacturers they represent. Dealers were asked to rate their respective marques in areas crucial to the success of any franchise including aftersales support, supply of cars, stock levels and warranty offers. After dealers delivered their verdict, an overall average score was calculated for each manufacturer. Nissan’s 91% rating handed the UK’s biggest car maker a resounding victory over all 26 rivals. Car Dealer Magazine says, “Nissan wins our Car Dealer Power by an absolute landslide. Scoring an incredible six ‘Faultless’ average scores is an amazing achievement and one that will have MD Paul Willcox smiling from ear to ear.”


Trend Tracker’s The Future of the Car Body Repair Market in the UK 2010-2015 is available for sale as a download and hard copy via www.trendtracker.co.uk , where further information on the report is also available.