Automotive Labour Market Briefing May 2025

The UK’s automotive sector continues to navigate change as vacancy rates fall and hiring slows.

In April 2025, the vacancy rate in the Motor Trades sector dropped to 2.8%, marking a significant decline from 4.9% in 2023. This suggests a cooling labour market, yet technical roles remain in high demand and pay for hands-on jobs is rising.

At a glance

• Vacancy rate: 2.8%, sixth highest of all UK sectors
• 17,000 estimated vacancies across Motor Trades
• 24% year-on-year drop in automotive retail vacancies
• Vehicle technician demand rose 4% quarter-on-quarter
• Advertised pay for technical roles well above government median

Early outlook

If vacancy trends continue, the Motor Trades sector may drop out of the UK’s top ten industries for vacancy rates for the first time since 2021. While this suggests recruitment pressure may be easing, vacancies stay above the national average.

Growing demand

Despite the wider slowdown, demand for vehicle technicians grew 4% in early 2025, following a dip in late 2024.

Technical roles continue to outpace customer-facing and sales positions. Demand for maintenance, customer service, sales, and management skills is also rising.

Evolving role

Advertised salaries highlight a shift in employer priorities. Vehicle technicians now earn £40,128 on average, £2,560 above the government median, after a 13% rise in two years.

Assemblers and body builders have seen even sharper increases, up to £6,592 above the median.

Read the full report

For a detailed look at vacancy trends, regional differences, and salary movements across the automotive sector, download the full Automotive Labour Market Briefing below.