According to the latest official statistics from the Ministry of Transport, the number of people travelling by car exceeds pre-pandemic levels.

Car traffic has reached 103 percent of its pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, underscoring a strong and sustained dependence on private vehicles.

At the same time, public transport continues to lag behind: outside London, bus usage is only 70%, National Rail is 88% and London Underground is 75% of its 2019 usage levels.

Stuart James, chief executive of the Independent Garage Association (IGA), commented: “The latest data from the Department for Transport highlights a critical shift in people’s travel behaviour post-pandemic.”

“The continued increase in car usage represents a huge opportunity for the independent repair shop sector. As more and more people rely on their private vehicles, demand for maintenance, repairs and general vehicle care will continue to grow.”

The IGA highlighted the importance of this trend for independent garages across the country, pointing to data from the Association of European Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA) which shows that the average car in the UK is now 10 years old. With new car sales declining, this average age is set to rise, creating further opportunities for garages.

As public transport usage remains low and dependence on private vehicles continues to grow, independent repair shops should prepare for increased demand, particularly in suburban and rural areas where car dependence is higher.

The IGA advises workshops to adapt to this trend by focusing on maintaining the performance and extending the service life of their vehicles through comprehensive service offerings.