This year’s UK Garage and Bodyshop Event has been deemed a success, with a significant increase in attendance from its first running in 2022.
The show, with runs in opposite years to the bigger Automechanika Birmingham trade show, welcomed an impressive 5,125 industry professionals, which were mainly garage and workshop owners, technicians, and bodyshop experts.
You can watch our full review of the UK Garage and Bodyshop Event, including interviews with leading aftermarket professionals, below. Or visit our YouTube channel, where you can also subscribe to ensure you stay up to date with everything happening in the aftermarket.
The two-day event provided attendees with access to dynamic training, cutting-edge technologies, and essential tools. With the automotive aftermarket undergoing significant transformations, particularly with changes in vehicle technology and the use of data, the importance of such an event has never been more crucial.
There was plenty on show at the event, with visitors participating in interactive exhibitions, live demonstrations, and training workshops. There were more than 100 hours of seminars led by over 80 renowned industry experts, covering topics such as engine fault diagnostics, MOT, diesel, ADAS, and more.
Plenty happening at UK Garage and Bodyshop Event
The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event sparked multiple discussions among participants, including conversations around upskilling the workforce and helping to plug the skills gap, by embracing industry training and aftermarket recruitment strategies. Other topics included best-practice business management and efficiency advice, monetising new technology and maximising garage profitability, and preparing for future mobility.
Exhibitors chose the UK Garage and Bodyshop Event as the place to launch more than 25 new products, showcasing the latest advancements in service and repair products, diagnostics, and garage equipment direct to visitors.
A key highlight was the brand-new Modern Garage, sponsored by LKQ Euro Car Parts, designed for business owners and managers to equip themselves with the tools, technology, and expertise to service and repair modern vehicles effectively and profitably.
The event also introduced other features like Body Repair Live and Vehicle Detailing Live, which proved popular with participants, providing hands-on demonstrations and practical insights.
Time to engage
“The second edition of the UK Garage and Bodyshop Event has surpassed all expectations.” Commented Joanne Knowles, event director for the UK Garage and Bodyshop Event. “The growth in attendance and the overwhelming positive feedback from both exhibitors and visitors demonstrate the event’s importance in the automotive industry. It is clear that garage and bodyshop professionals very much welcome the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge technologies, expert training, and invaluable networking opportunities in the alternate Automechanika Birmingham years.”
The event also welcomed the second edition Automechanika Birmingham Garage Awards, hosted by trade association, Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF), with 11 award categories, recognising the industry’s very best talent.
The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event continues to grow as a vital platform for the automotive aftermarket, with plans already underway for the event to return in 2026
Automechanika Birmingham will return on 3-5 June 2025.
