The car aftermarket in the UK is a constantly evolving landscape, shaped by shifting consumer priorities and advancements in technology. The cost of living crisis has significantly influenced the car aftermarket sector, compelling consumers to prioritise value for money with focus on essential parts and affordable solutions. As inflationary pressures ease, there is a growing trend of maintaining older vehicles, sustaining the demand for aftermarket components.
The primary threats to the market include the rising cost of raw materials which could potentially inflate prices and reduce demand as well as the increased scrutiny on counterfeit parts, impacting consumer trust.
However, the most exciting opportunity lies in the growing online sales channel, with 45% of consumers preferring websites like Amazon and Argos for purchasing car parts. This shift highlights a transformation in consumer purchasing habits, driven by convenience and cost-effectiveness. Another opportunity lies in the transition to electric and hybrid vehicles, presenting avenues for diversification and innovation in meeting the unique needs of these vehicles.
This report looks at the following areas:
- The impact of the cost of living on the car aftermarket and how it affects consumer spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs.
- Main motivations for replacing parts and the opportunities created by the increasing comfort with online purchasing of replacement components.
- Recent trends in demand for essential car aftermarket parts, such as tyres, batteries, and filters, and why empowering young adults is key to car care.
- Prospects driven by shifting consumer attitudes towards the car aftermarket, including the rising popularity of trust and localism.
Expanding online sales and providing value-driven solutions open up exciting avenues for growth as well as innovation.
Utku Tansel, Senior Retail Analyst
Market Definitions
Car aftermarket parts are defined as products that need to be replaced so that, mechanically, the car may function better or, indeed, at all. In this respect, they differ from car accessories, which may include comfort, security and/or appearance as the prime motivators to purchase.
For the purposes of this Report, only certain major aftermarket parts are reviewed. These are defined as parts that are typically able to be serviced at automotive fast-fit centres, dealers and garages. Replacement tyres are also included in this definition. The full line-up of parts reviewed is as follows:
- shock absorbers and related parts
- oil filters and related parts
- tyres
- exhausts and related parts
- batteries
- brakes and related parts
- clutches and related parts
- lightbulbs and related parts.
The product areas covered in this Report may be purchased from a retail outlet and fitted by the car owner or will be purchased from a garage, dealership, fast-fit outlet or a mechanic and fitted by a professional. VAT (Value Added Tax) is included.
This Report purely covers the sale of this type of good to consumers (and not trade between suppliers/manufacturers and retailers).
Value figures throughout this Report are at retail selling prices unless otherwise stated. Market sizes at 2023 prices are calculated using Mintel’s motoring deflator.
SMMT data is sourced from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The SMMT exists to support and promote the interests of the UK automotive industry at home and abroad. Working closely with member companies, SMMT acts as the voice of the motor industry, promoting its position to government, stakeholders and the media. For more information visit www.smmt.co.uk.
Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of His Majesty’s Stationery Office and the King’s Printer for Scotland.
Collapse All
-
Executive Summary
- Opportunities for the Car Aftermarket market
- Foster trust and transparency
- Leverage online
- Promote value-driven solutions
- Market dynamics and outlook
- Market size & forecast
- The five year outlook for the car aftermarket
- Market size and forecast
- What consumers want and why
- Simplify vehicle care with innovative solutions
- Graph 1: responsibility for maintenance and servicing of the main car – I’m solely responsible, by gender, 2024
- Regular maintenance is the main reason for parts replacement
- Graph 2: reasons likely to prompt the replacement of part(s), 2024
- Tyres, wiper blades, and oil filters show promising potential
- Graph 3: purchase/fitting of replacement parts, 2024
- Online channel is ripe for aftermarket products
- Graph 4: likelihood of purchasing replacement parts online (very likely) by purchase of a part in the last 12 months, 2024
- Auto retailer websites remain top choice for online purchases
- Graph 5: website preferences for purchasing new replacement parts online, 2023 and 2024
- Rethinking car part purchases in light of the cost of living crisis
- Graph 6: the current cost of living crisis means that I will look to…, 2024
- Trust is paramount
- Graph 7: consumer attitudes towards the car aftermarket, 2024
- Innovation and marketing
- Goodyear Dunlop’s SportSmart mk4 tyre redefines hypersport performance
- Ford rides on eco-friendliness with sustainable car parts
- Amazon capitalises on the online shopping boom
- Hankook Tyres drives forward with sustainability
- Monroe unveils an engaging marketing campaign
-
Market Dynamics
- Market size
- Market size for the car aftermarket, 2020-24
- Graph 8: market size for the car aftermarket*, revenues, 2020-24
- Tyres: the powerhouse of the car aftermarket
- Market forecast
- Market size and forecast
- The future is bright
- Market segmentation
- Replacement tyre sales, 2019-24
- Influence of electric and hybrid vehicles
- Other replacement parts* sales, 2019-24
- Graph 9: other replacement parts* sales, by value (at current prices), 2019-24
- Revolutionising ride quality: meeting the needs of modern vehicles
- Macro-economic factors
- Falling inflation has reduced pressure on household finances
- Graph 10: CPI* inflation rate, 2021-24
- Consumer confidence outlook
- Graph 11: the financial confidence index, 2016-24
- Social, environmental and legal factors
- Navigating the car aftermarket: opportunities amidst car parc stagnation
- Ageing car parc presents opportunities
- Graph 12: car parc age, 2019 and 2023
- Vehicle recovery providers AA and RAC promote SMR services to their members
- Car sales show signs of recovery as consumer confidence returns
- Car sales surge after pandemic challenges
- Rising demand for budget tyres: a shift in the market
- UK MOT updates: common failures revealed & annual testing stays
- Graph 13: percentage of MOT tests with one or more Fail or PRS type RfR in defect group, 2022
- Sustainability comes to the fore
- IPO’s ‘Fake Always Breaks’ campaign warns against counterfeit vehicle parts
-
What Consumers Want and Why
- Reasons for maintenance
- Regular maintenance/servicing is the top reason for parts replacement
- Graph 14: reasons likely to prompt the replacement of part(s), 2024
- Maintenance can be used to develop affinity with older adults
- Graph 15: reasons likely to prompt the replacement of part(s) – replacement as part of regular maintance/servicing, by age, 2024
- Engagement through affordable solutions
- Graph 16: reasons likely to prompt the replacement of part(s) – replacement as part of regular maintance/servicing, by employment, 2024
- Understanding the key drivers for part replacements
- Driving personalisation: empowering consumers with tailored maintenance solutions
- Purchase of replacement parts
- Tyres, wiper blades and oil filters present good prospects
- Graph 17: purchase/fitting of replacement parts, 2024
- City driving takes its toll on car parts
- Graph 18: purchase/fitting of replacement parts within the last 12 months, by area, 2024
- Navigating urban challenges
- Empowering young adults: the key to car care
- Graph 19: purchase/fitting of replacement parts within the last 12 months, by 17-34s and 55+ age groups, 2024
- Address the safety needs of older drivers with aftermarket products
- Online channel
- Unlocking online sales
- Graph 20: likelihood of purchasing new replacement parts online for the main car, 2024
- Streamlining online shopping: how brands can build trust and meet consumer expectations
- Overcoming ecommerce hurdles for older adults
- Graph 21: likelihood of purchasing new replacement parts online (very unlikely), by select age groups, 2024
- Online-only retailers reach new heights in car aftermarket
- Auto retailer websites remain top choice for online purchases
- Graph 22: website preferences for purchasing new replacement parts online, 2024
- Online-only retailers reach new heights in the car aftermarket
- Strong appetite for aftermarket products online
- Graph 23: likelihood of purchasing replacement parts online (very likely), by purchase of a part in the last 12 months, 2024
- Impact of cost of living crisis
- Promote value-driven solutions
- Navigating the cost of living: how shoppers are rethinking car part purchases
- Graph 24: the current cost of living crisis means that I will look to…, 2024
- Mastering the cost of living crunch with value-driven choices
- Urbanites unleash their inner DIY
- Graph 25: the current cost of living crisis means that I will look to replace car parts myself, by area (city vs small town), 2024
- Driving change: embracing circularity in car parts for a sustainable future
- Attitudes towards car aftermarket
- Build consumer trust
- Localism high on the agenda
- Trust is paramount, while localism and convenience are high on the agenda
- Graph 26: consumer attitudes towards the car aftermarket, 2024
- Building trust should be a key focus
- Trust over price: the essential factor in choosing a car replacement service
- Graph 27: consumer attitudes towards car aftermarket, by age – “I think price is more important than trust when choosing where to get replacement parts for my car fitted”, 2024
- Unlocking the market
- The rise of localism
- Graph 28: consumer attitudes towards car aftermarket, by gender – “I like to have replacement parts for my car fitted at my local garage”, 2024
- Ride on convenience
- Tapping into generations
- Graph 29: primary vehicle warranty coverage, by age, 2024
- Village/rural present good prospects
- Graph 30: primary vehicle warranty coverage, by area, 2024
-
Innovation And Marketing Trends
- Launch activity and innovation
- Goodyear Dunlop’s SportSmart mk4 tyre redefines hypersport performance
- Pirelli unveils cutting-edge tyres at the Tire Cologne 2024: embracing innovation and sustainability
- Ford rides on eco-friendliness with sustainable car parts
- Amazon capitalises on the online shopping boom
- eBay revamps auto sales with AI: driving innovation and customer engagement
- Advertising and marketing activity
- Investment in aftermarket promotion soars to record heights
- Graph 31: total above-the line, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure on car aftermarket products, 2020-24
- Brand support fuels investment in tyres
- Graph 32: total above-the line, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure, by category, 2020-24
- Digital accounts for the lion’s share of ad spend in wheels & tyres
- Graph 33: total above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure on wheels & tyres, by media type, 2022-24
- Digital and press advertising dominate spend in car components & parts
- Graph 34: total above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure on automotive components & parts, by media type, 2022-24
- Digital and press advertising dominate spend in car components & parts
- Graph 35: total above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure on automotive components & parts, by media type, 2022-24
- Hankook Tyres is the top advertiser for wheels & tyres
- Hankook Tyres drives forward with sustainability
- Monroe Ride Solutions: keeping dashboard hula dancer still with superior suspension
-
Competitive strategies
- Revolutionising fleet efficiency: Continental’s upgraded tool for cost-effective performance
- Nexen leverages AI and VR for next-gen tyre development
- Michelin’s innovative leap: pioneering tyre abrasion reduction and biodegradation research
- Pirelli UK crowned tyre manufacturer of the year for innovation and sustainability
-
Appendix
- Market forecast data and methodology
- Market forecast
- Forecast methodology
- Supplementary data
- Replacement tyre sales, by price position, 2019-23
- Replacement tyre sales by type, 2019-23
- Hankook Tyres is the top advertiser for wheels & tyres
- Top advertisers in motor components & parts
- Advertising by media type – wheels & tyres
- Advertising by media type – components & parts
- Purchase of replacement parts
- Report scope and definitions
- Market definition
- Exclusions
- Abbreviations and terms
- Methodology
- Consumer research methodology
- Nielsen Ad Intel coverage
Market Intelligence Made Easier With Mintel
The first Mintel Market Intelligence report was published over 50 years ago. Since then, we have provided our unique insights and understanding of consumers, innovation and global markets to thousands of customers worldwide. Here’s why our customers rely on Mintel:
- Gain a comprehensive, 360-degree view of the market: Mintel reports blend consumer research, market forecasts, product innovation tracking, and competitive analysis, allowing businesses to see every angle of their industry and identify new opportunities quickly.
- Make decisions with confidence, grounded in robust data: Each report draws on up-to-date, reliable information from trusted sources and industry experts, ensuring your strategies are based on solid evidence rather than speculation.
- Benefit from expert analysis and practical recommendations: Mintel’s reports are written by experienced analysts who interpret complex data and provide clear, actionable insights you can trust to guide your next moves.
- Stay ahead with actionable intelligence on market trends and consumer behaviour: By combining fresh research with long-term market monitoring, our reports help businesses anticipate changes and adapt strategically. So you’re prepared to make informed decisions and drive growth.
What goes into a Mintel Market Intelligence Report?
Curious about how a Market Intelligence report comes together? We like to think of it as building a detailed puzzle. We start with individual pieces: data from consumers, market statistics, industry trends, and online conversations. Then our expert analysts add world-class human insight and industry knowledge. The pieces are assembled to reveal a clear, comprehensive picture of a market.
The Four Pillars of Our Research
We use a combination of four main research methods when creating our reports, each adding a valuable perspective:
- Consumer Research: Direct surveys with real people, giving us clear, current insights into what people think and do.
- Desk Research: In-depth review of trusted data sources. We use this rich database, plus powerful internal tools that track new products and market sizes, to detect trends and guide forecasts.
- Trade Research: Insights from conversations with industry experts. Their real-world experience helps us understand what’s happening behind the scenes.
- Brand and Social Media Research: Analysis of online opinions and trends. This lets us spot trends, measure brand sentiment, and capture feedback in real time, adding further depth to our research.
Bringing It All Together
Each of these four pillars provides a different piece of the puzzle. Consumer research tells us what customers think, desk research provides the factual framework, trade research offers an insider’s view, and social media analysis reveals public sentiment.
Our expert analysts are skilled in weaving these diverse data streams together. They apply a range of quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques to uncover the deeper story, connecting the dots to deliver clear, actionable insights. This comprehensive, multi-layered process is how we transform raw data into a market intelligence report you can trust to inform your most important business decisions.
£ 2,195 (Excl.Tax)
-
Download today with instant access
Pay via credit card or invoice (net 30 payment terms)
-
Multiple formats provided
We send a PDF, Powerpoint and Excel Databook straight to your inbox. An interactive version of the report is also available on our online platform
-
Interactive databook included
Focus on the data that matters most to you with a customisable databook avaliable on our platform
-
Save up to 20% when you purchase multiple reports
Discount automatically applied in basket
Next Starts Here
Whatever your business needs, we have the solution. From market intelligence reports to customised growth strategies.
Learn moreTrusted by global industry leaders
One of the biggest challenges we face is the need to get smart on a business or category real quick.
We are talking to clients who live and breathe their category every day and the expectation is that we will be able to get caught up very quickly, and bring the thinking that can help them.
We need to do that often in a matter of days, so it’s not a small ask. Mintel gives us a very articulate view of category conditions and does so at the speed we need it.
Jeff White, Business Development Director, Deutsch
When I’m investigating specific sectors I tend to use Mintel reports for their forecasting, which I’ve always found to be very accurate.
They also offer really broad and deep coverage in their reports. They are very, very detailed. For example, we were able to gain insight across a wide range of business areas from just one report, proving that Mintel is excellent value for money.
So overall, it’s the level of detail and the quality of forecasting that really stand out for me.
Rebecca Green, Market Insight Manager, Wincanton
We use Mintel to inform our thinking and reinforce strategy. If you’re presenting new ideas, it’s essential they are underpinned by robust data and evidence, and clearly rooted in fact.
Mintel gives us all that. It’s a great brand and one that is trusted by clients.
Marie Stafford, European Director, The Innovation Group, VML
We utilize Mintel Reports, Trends and Comperemedia to mine for insights across the numerous business verticals that Epsilon serves, such as CPG, automotive, telecom, healthcare/pharma, retail and financial services.
By integrating Mintel insight into new business opportunities, we have been able to gain the competitive edge necessary to advance partnerships with global brands and key business players.
For our organization, it’s about depth and breadth. Having one without the other doesn’t enable success in our business.
Virginia Harvey, Secondary Research Manager, Epsilon
We use Mintel Reports, mostly for financial services and ecommerce markets, plus a few retail and technology ones.
As a leading payments provider, we value additional insights into consumer behaviour, opinions and trends that are shaping the many different markets we operate in. Mintel is a very good and very quick way for us to obtain those insights.
We use Mintel to get a view on where a particular market is going, which can support us in product development and help us identify opportunities or indeed risks, it is a very useful barometer of a market’s potential.
Andrew Neeson, Market Intelligence Manager, VocaLink
Next Starts Here
Whatever your business needs, we have the solution. From market intelligence reports to customised growth strategies.
Learn more
