The Motor Ombudsman’s (TMO) latest report paints a rather bleak picture of the state of the automotive aftermarket. From rising operational costs to a recruitment drought, there’s no denying it’s going to be a challenging year for UK garages in 2025, writes Matt Wrankmore.
A question asked of me recently was ‘Would you open a garage in 2025?’
With The Motor Ombudsman warning of a ‘perfect storm’ of challenges in their latest report, you can be forgiven for thinking that my answer to this would be a quick ‘no’.
But in fact, the answer is – yes, I would; and here’s why.
The new tools in the box
Opening a garage and having that business be successful is entirely possible if you utilise the many tools available today.
It’s been long overdue, but we’re finally seeing evidence of the auto repair industry modernising. It was slow to adapt to digital tools and management systems but garage owners who were tech-savvy enough to implement these tools in their business, are now reaping the benefits.
Time is precious for garages, so being accurate and efficient is the way to maximise your output. Garage management systems or an online diary are essential tools for unlocking your garage’s potential. When used in 15-minute slots rather than an hour, you’ll give your garage more ramp time than the standard, one-hour slots will.
Simultaneously, you will also be improving your customer experience and meeting their expectations with a convenient digital journey. These tools and platforms are readily available, many now designed with auto repair businesses in mind, making running a garage so much easier.
It takes a village – and we have one
New garage owners have never had a larger community of dedicated support than they do today. In fact, there are so many opportunities to get support and advice on all of the most important things involved in running an auto repair business, that your biggest problem is likely figuring out which ones you should choose.
One in five (21%) garages surveyed by The Motor Ombudsman said that they plan to participate in webinars and training courses this year to learn more about improving operations. This shows that smart garage owners are already seizing opportunities to overcome the economic challenges ahead.
Industry bodies like The Motor Ombudsman or the Institute of the Motor Industry exist to provide independent support and advice for your business – from Alternative Dispute Resolution and training courses to recruitment and insurance advice.
Aggregator sites like FixMyCar help drive new business and customer awareness in your local area, without requiring large investments in advertising and marketing. Businesses like these often offer excellent benefits through their partnerships that can provide you with comprehensive support from one phone call.
Trusted and professional help is available at the touch of a button, and they all want you and your garage to succeed.
The road ahead is long, but full of opportunity
Often challenges bring opportunities for growth and today there are many ways to expand your business’ potential that require very minimal effort.
Dedicated networks and garage programmes are becoming increasingly popular, quick, and easy for independent garages to sign up to. Some examples of these are the RAC Approved Network or the eBay Tyre Fitter Programme, both designed to create a pool of garages that have been vetted and approved for quality to give drivers extra confidence in their repairs.
Your association with these networks will not only boost consumer trust in your business and drive new buyers to you, but also often provide extra business support of their own to garages that are members of their programme. Meaning you get to have your cake and eat it. More customers, more support for serving those customers.
Would I open a garage in 2025?
To summarise, yes, I would open a garage in 2025. I would also take up every ounce of support, advice and efficiency software I could get my hands on to get my business through these challenging times with a little more ease.
With so many new opportunities to explore when it comes to running your business, I believe it’s an exciting time to be a garage owner.
Matt Wrankmore is head of garage network at FixMyCar