The ONS counted 49,597 vehicle maintenance and repair businesses registered for VAT or PAYE in 2024, turning over £37.5bn. The class includes servicing and mechanical repair, MOT testing, bodywork and tyre fitting.
| 2024 | Vehicle maintenance and repair |
|---|---|
| Businesses (VAT or PAYE registered) | 49,597 |
| Total turnover | £37.5bn |
| Average turnover per business | £755,000 |
| Staff costs, % of turnover | 20.6% |
| Bought-in goods and services, % of turnover | 65.6% |
| Left after staff and bought-in costs, % of turnover | 13.8% |
| Stock held, in days of purchases | 41 days |
Source: ONS Annual Business Survey, 2024 results (published 26 May 2026). It covers businesses registered for VAT or PAYE, so the smallest sole traders are not included. Averages are pulled up by the largest firms. For sole traders and partnerships, the owners’ own pay is not in staff costs: it comes out of what is left.
About £66 of every £100 goes on parts, tyres, paint and other bought-in goods and services. Staff costs have taken a bigger share since 2019, as the trend below shows.
Vehicle maintenance and repair: turnover rose 32% between 2019 and 2024, against a 24% rise in consumer prices, so it grew in real terms. The number of businesses rose 10%. Staff costs went from 15.6% to 20.6% of turnover, and what was left after staff and bought-in costs went from 11.4% to 13.8%.
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