In his address, LKQ UK & Ireland CEO Kevan Wooden outlined the crucial role that the automotive aftermarket plays in maintaining safe, accessible, and affordable transport across the UK. "Significant challenges persist that threaten the independent aftermarket and risk creating a monopoly for the vehicle manufacturers," Wooden emphasised. "The Department for Transport has an important part to play in resolving these challenges and ensuring the independent sector can continue to compete and thrive."

The coalition's policy recommendations are intended to support the aftermarket sector’s future by addressing barriers to competition, encouraging a fair market, and ensuring that repair and maintenance remain accessible to UK drivers. Key among the requests are calls to align vehicle type approval and block exemption regulations, reducing the risk of vehicle manufacturers controlling access to in-vehicle data, a measure that would allow independent workshops equal opportunity to work with emerging automotive technologies such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

The list of five primary objectives outlined includes:

Aligning Regulations to Protect Consumer Choice: To prevent manufacturers from restricting access to essential in-vehicle data and diagnostic tools, the coalition has called for alignment of vehicle type approval and motor vehicle block exemption regulations.

Access to Data and Cybersecurity Measures: A comprehensive regulatory framework similar to the pan-European SERMI scheme is proposed to standardise data access across all manufacturers, which would enable workshops to meet security and data integrity standards across all car brands.

Incentives for Training and Business Investment: The coalition highlights the need for tax reductions on training expenses, which would support technicians in upskilling to work on ADAS, hybrid, and EV technologies.

National Automotive Employment Scheme: Inspired by successful models in other sectors, such as hospitality, this scheme would provide greater support for independent garages and SMEs in recruiting and training new talent for the industry.

Secondary Market for EV Battery Refit and Refurbishment: The group also raised the absence of a secondary market for EV battery refit as a critical gap. Establishing such a market, along with regulations that enable collaboration between manufacturers and the aftermarket, would lower EV ownership costs and promote environmental sustainability.

In addition to these policy asks, Fiona Carmichael, Head of Automotive and Mobility at Citypress, highlighted the often-overlooked role of SMEs within the aftermarket. "Many businesses in the UK aftermarket are SMEs, often located away from the more visible main road locations of the main dealers – and to policy makers, they are literally out of sight and out of mind,” Carmichael noted. "If our consumers are to retain a choice for affordable repair and maintenance services, it’s time for the government to recognise the value and contribution that the UK aftermarket provides.”

The list of requests aims to ensure the continued viability of the independent repair sector, enabling it to serve drivers across the country with diverse, affordable, and sustainable repair options as the UK transitions toward electric mobility and more complex vehicle systems.

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