While there has been a fall in repair volumes during February, the evidence on the ground can be slightly different according where in the UK you are and what sort of work you do.
According to data by Trend Tracker, volumes fell significantly from January to February, but January saw a marked increase on December and, taken together, volumes over the first two months of this year were actually four per cent higher than the same period in 2023.
Trend Tracker’s Paul Sell said, “The bodyshop market is somewhat reactive to the most recent months volumes. And that’s exactly why Trend Tracker exists, why we go to the trouble of publishing monthly snapshot reports, why we track trends for the annual UK Motor Claims and Body Repair Report, both short and long term, collaborating with the leading players in the market to crunch the numbers: to provide a reputable, independent source of data, to show actual trends to make decisions on – rather than how it feels.”
He said that dips towards the end of February are seasonal and might not suggest a general falling off, although he admits it can leave bodyshop managers feeling that business is unnaturally quiet.
However, he warns that the market remains still susceptible to volatile economics and the continued cost-of-living crisis.
Paul said, “The picture could change with insurance premiums and excesses higher in 2024 and the cost-of-living issues not in the past as yet. So from small business owners to large, independent owned or insurer-driven networks and franchise partner operations, there is immense value is having timely access to data, short and long-term trends and insight.”
