29 Oct, 2024 News

Collision repair trends in 2025: What to expect and how to prepare

Whether we want to believe it or not, 2025 is practically here. What will our industry look like in the next twelve months and beyond? We don’t have a crystal ball, but we’ve put together a few informed predictions and top trends we expect to see within the automotive industry in 2025, how they might affect your workshop, and how you can make sure you have the tools necessary to stay ahead in the evolving automotive repair landscape.

Back to the future

While vehicles, and the vehicle collision repair industry, are evolving rapidly, some things never change. Collisions occur, drivers want repairs done yesterday, they want them done safely and they want to know they’re not paying too much. What is changing is the way we repair cars – how we’ve been doing it in 2024 won’t necessarily be the way we’ll be working in 2025 and beyond. Electric vehicles, increasing environmental regulations, changing consumer demands, AI, advances in vehicle repair technology, a shortage of qualified technicians … these are just a few trends and challenges that will, and already are, altering the way our workshops function.

Let’s drill a little deeper into some of those.

Smart cars. With the rise of connected cars, auto technicians will need to dive into vast amounts of data generated by sensors and OBD and have access to expensive diagnostic tools and software.
The ADAS market is expected to experience substantial growth, with projections indicating a 300% increase in less than a decade. * By 2050, it’s predicted that ADAS technologies could be preventing millions of vehicle accidents. Key trends within the ADAS market include cloud computing for real-time data processing, and AI integration for improved decision-making.
Changing consumer demands. According to the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association, (AAAA), consumers are increasingly opting for independent workshops to repair their vehicles. Customer trust, relationships, convenience and competitive pricing are what is leading the charge, which is coinciding with a healthy growth in independent collision repair workshops. In the trust category, independent workshops are striding ahead, with 71% of consumers trusting their local mechanic.

Of course, the downside of all this is…

Worker shortage. The AAAA says that as the number of workshops increase, there is a desperate need for more qualified technicians and apprentices to meet demand. This requires a multi-faceted approach from across the industry, government and at workshop level. No longer confined to traditional mechanical repairs, the automotive technician of the future is poised to become a high-tech troubleshooter and an integral player in the evolution of smart, connected vehicles.

The future is here.

Stay ahead or get left behind – that’s the mantra. Importantly, never stop learning. The fast-paced evolution of automotive technology necessitates a commitment to continuous learning and adaptability. Automotive technicians of the future will need to engage in ongoing training programs to stay ahead of emerging technologies and industry trends. This adaptability will be crucial as vehicles evolve, and new diagnostic tools and repair techniques become standard in the automotive repair landscape. Collaborating with businesses like Repairify will ensure you aways have the latest tools, technology and expertise at hand, without having to invest huge amounts yourself.

Embrace the technology. Digital diagnostic tools will not only streamline the repair process but will also help build a strong reputation for your workshop for offering high-quality services. Digital automotive diagnostic scanners like Repairify’s All-In-One diagnostic tool will allow your mechanics and technicians to quickly and accurately diagnose and repair issues before they become a problem, whether in the workshop or remotely, while our Remote Services connects you with experienced repair technicians whenever you need.