Aftermarket urged to capitalise on MOT surge

MOT volumes are expected to rise by more than 50% in the second half of the year, with September to November accounting for almost a third of this spike in demand.

LKQ Euro Car Parts has urged repairers to take advantage of the extra work.

Andy Hamilton, CEO, said: “A recent poll by the Motor Ombudsman found that 63% of workshops plan on increasing prices to maintain margin. But what about labour rates? They’ve barely budged across the sector despite costs rising elsewhere. It’s time for garages to consider modest increases to protect profits – though of course there is a limit to how much can be passed onto customers that are already feeling the pinch.

“That’s why making marginal gains in profit and productivity also has to be a focus for garages. We’re doing everything we can to support – we’ve been talking about digitalisation for a long time, and this is where it can really make a difference.

“To give just one example, we’ve invested in enhancing our Omnipart trade website to help more garages go digital so that they can save time and keep phonelines free for customers.”

He continued: “If managed in the right way, this MOT season can be a great opportunity for the independent aftermarket. The key though isn’t just doing the work; it’s making money from it. And while work volumes aren’t in question, the types of vehicles coming through the workshop doors are changing. Hybrids and EVs will account for a greater percentage of MOTs than ever this autumn, which means it’s important for garages to adapt and upskill as their customer base evolves.”