Garages and workshops hit by staff shortages

A Motor Ombudsman poll of garages and workshops has revealed that recruiting a sufficient number of mechanics and MOT testers to meet consumer demand was the most significant concern for two thirds (67 per cent) of respondents when questioned about the main challenges encountered during 2021.

The research conducted by the Ombudsman for the automotive sector also showed that the shortage of headcount was further compounded by the fact that 50 per cent of study participants stated that employees testing positive for coronavirus, or having to self-isolate, had disrupted their business activities over the course of the past 12 months.

Similarly, a lack of personnel to accommodate the new peaks in MOT volumes, brought about by the introduction of the six-month exemption in 2020 in response to coronavirus, was cited by 44 per cent of respondents as being another knock-on effect of having a smaller than desired workforce last year.

Insufficient resource to send team members on training courses (40 per cent), and a limited number of staff to maintain electric vehicles (EVs) also took their toll for just over a third of vehicle repairers (38 per cent).

Aside from the personnel issues highlighted, the study showed that a lack of spare parts – causing delays to the repair of customer vehicles, had also impacted nearly 60 per cent of businesses. When questioned about challenges expected during the coming months, staffing remained a theme, with the unavailability of experienced technicians continuing.