How Dealerships Can Attract Technicians and Improve Staff Loyalty

Rising operational costs, higher energy bills, and the need to offer competitive salaries are squeezing UK dealerships in 2025, along with attracting and keeping skilled technicians. According to the Motor Ombudsman’s 2024 Review & 2025 Outlook, having to raise salaries as well as address staff well-being in response to rising living costs and increased demand for skilled labour are top staff challenges, while 41% of workshops have seen a positive level of staff loyalty thanks to proactive changes.   

In addition, attracting and keeping skilled technicians is another of the biggest challenges facing UK car dealerships in 2025. The latest Motor Ombudsman report highlights that recruiting qualified and experienced vehicle technicians is the second most common operational challenge for workshops, just behind the need to increase income to stay profitable.  

The Technician challenge: what the numbers say 

• Recruitment of technicians is one of the two challenges for workshops in 2024 and 2025. 
• Rising salaries and the cost of living are forcing dealerships to compete harder for talent. 
• Mental and physical health pressures on staff are increasing, making retention even more important. 
• A lack of apprentices and experienced technicians choosing freelance work adds to the shortage. 

Here’s how AutoProtect’s solutions can help your dealership boost staff loyalty, even as costs rise: 

1.  Stable Revenue Streams Support Better Pay and Benefits 

Value-added products generate regular aftersales income, helping dealerships: 

• Offer competitive salaries to attract and retain top technicians, crucial as “having to raise salaries” is the #1 staff challenge. 
• Provide better benefits and incentives, supporting staff through the cost-of-living crisis. 

2.  Investment in Training and Career Development 

With additional revenue, dealerships can fund webinars and training courses (a strategy planned by 29% of workshops for 2025) to upskill staff and show commitment to their growth.  By supporting apprenticeships and structured career paths, they can also address the challenge of a lack of available apprentices and experienced staff. 

3. Improved Work-Life Balance 

AutoProtect solutions help smooth workshop demand by encouraging regular servicing and repairs through service plans and warranties. This enables dealerships to review opening hours and shift patterns (a change planned by 39% of workshops) to improve work-life balance, and reduce technician burnout by avoiding unpredictable peaks and troughs in workload. 

4. Enhanced Working Environment 

With stronger financial footing, dealerships can refurbish premises (planned by 42% of workshops) to create a more comfortable, and appealing workplace, along with investing in new tools and technology, making daily work easier and more satisfying for technicians. 

The numbers are clear: the dealerships that invest in their people, as well as support that investment with strong aftersales solutions like those from AutoProtect, are best placed to attract and keep the technicians they need to succeed. By building a stable, supportive, and rewarding environment, your dealership can stand out in a competitive market and secure long-term business growth.