Mechanic Shortage Threatens to Drive Up Car Repair Costs
The Australian automotive repair industry is grappling with a severe shortage of young talent, leading to longer wait times for vehicle servicing and potentially higher bills for motorists. A recent report highlights a critical staffing crisis that is jeopardising the future of the sector and forcing experienced mechanics to consider delaying their retirement.
A survey of 220 garages across the nation, conducted by the mobile repair platform ClickMechanic, revealed that nearly three-quarters of industry professionals are experiencing extended repair times due to a lack of available mechanics. This staffing crunch is a significant concern, with many predicting a subsequent surge in garage fees.
The Recruitment Challenge: Why Aren’t Young People Joining?
The struggle to attract the next generation of car technicians is a nationwide phenomenon. Seven out of ten garages reported difficulty in recruiting mechanics under the age of 25, with more than a third describing the process as ‘very difficult’. This sentiment stems from the belief that the automotive repair industry has become significantly less appealing to young people over the past five years.
Several key barriers are identified as discouraging younger individuals from pursuing a career in this trade:
- Cost of Tools and Training: Over half of the surveyed garages pointed to the substantial expense of tools and necessary training as a major obstacle.
- Perceptions of Low Pay: Nearly half (43%) of businesses cited the perception of low wages as a deterrent.
- Industry Image: Two-fifths of respondents believe the general image of the automotive repair industry is a significant turn-off for potential recruits.
- Lack of Awareness: A further 36% feel that many young people are simply unaware of the long-term career prospects and benefits offered by the profession.
Apprenticeships: A Missed Opportunity?
Compounding the recruitment issue is the low uptake of apprenticeships within the sector. The research found that a staggering four out of five garages are not currently training an apprentice. Only a modest 18% of garages reported mentoring one or more apprentices at the time of the study.
Andrew Jervis, CEO of ClickMechanic, commented on the situation: “The automotive repair industry is facing a growing skills gap. Garages are struggling to bring in younger technicians at the same time as many experienced mechanics are approaching retirement. If that trend continues, the industry could face a real shortage of skilled workers in the years ahead.”
The Impact on Motorists: Rising Costs and Quality Concerns
The consequences of this mechanic shortage are likely to be felt directly by drivers. Two-thirds of garages believe that repair costs will inevitably rise. Furthermore, a third of respondents warned that the pressure on workshops could lead to an increased risk of rushed or subpar repairs.
Beyond immediate financial and quality concerns, some garages foresee broader structural impacts. One in three predict the closure of local garages, and a quarter suggest that more vehicles might be unnecessarily written off due to the inability to find qualified mechanics.
Recent analysis of warranty claims supports these concerns, indicating a sharp increase in the cost of both vehicle parts and labour over the past year. Some repairs are reportedly costing up to 23% more, and drivers are already experiencing a “postcode lottery” of prices. The average hourly labour rate has seen a five per cent increase in a year, with the average total repair bill now standing eight per cent higher than inflation.
This escalation in costs is attributed to increasingly complex vehicle repairs that often require specialised diagnostic equipment, software updates, or unique parts, thereby extending repair times and inflating labour charges. Common repair jobs experiencing significant year-on-year price hikes include those related to braking systems, suspension components, electrical faults, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Even seemingly minor issues like alternators, batteries, and wheel-speed sensors are becoming more expensive and prevalent.
A Workforce Under Pressure to Stay On
The existing workforce is also facing mounting pressure to extend their working lives. Around 42% of mechanics surveyed expect to work beyond their planned retirement age, with only a quarter anticipating retiring as originally planned.
The Diversity Deficit: A Missed Talent Pool
The survey also shed light on a significant lack of diversity within the profession. Nine out of ten garages reported not employing or regularly working with a female mechanic. Several barriers are believed to be preventing more women from entering the trade, including a perceived lack of applicants (63%), concerns about the industry’s image (55%), and pay expectations.
Jervis added, “There’s also a clear opportunity for the industry to broaden the talent pool. Encouraging more women and people from different backgrounds to consider careers as mechanics could play an important role in addressing the skills shortage while helping modernise perceptions of the profession.”
The Looming EV Mechanic Shortfall
Adding another layer to the industry’s challenges is the growing concern over a lack of mechanics qualified to service electric vehicles (EVs). The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has been vocal about this impending crisis. Their latest report indicates that only one in four technicians currently holds accreditation to work on EVs.
This uneven distribution of skills, concentrated in franchise dealerships, means that the rapidly growing population of EV owners may struggle to find qualified experts for servicing and repairs, particularly in certain regions.
Emma Carrigy, Head of Research, Policy and Inclusion at the IMI, warned that without a substantial acceleration in training, the gap between the number of EV-trained technicians and the demand will “widen dangerously in the next five to ten years.” She highlighted the risk of a “postcode lottery” for EV repairs, especially as the second-hand EV market expands, with independent workshops often lacking the resources to invest in ahead-of-demand training.
Based on current trends, the IMI forecasts that while the number of EV-qualified technicians will rise to approximately 137,000 by 2032 and 193,000 by 2035, demand is expected to outpace supply. The gap between supply and demand is projected to widen sharply in the early 2030s, with shortfalls of over 44,000 technicians anticipated by 2035.
Carrigy emphasised the urgency: “It is now too late for even sustained growth in certification to fully close the gap. With the end of sales of new petrol and diesel cars fast approaching, employers need to act now to ensure they’re ready for the growing EV car parc. If drivers face delays for repairs to their EVs they will make their frustration heard and it will put off other would-be EV-switchers with the environmental benefits of zero-emissions mobility unnecessarily delayed.”
