KBS - Automotive Repair - Market Insight

KEY DRIVERS AND MOTIVATIONS FOR ACQUIRERS

Strategic and financial buyers are motivated by several critical factors.

INSURER-APPROVED STATUS AND LONG-TERM CONTRACTS Chief among these is access to insurer contracts that guarantee recurring, high-volume work.

GEOGRAPHIC FOOTPRINT AND SITE DENSITY Many insurers now require national or regional coverage from their repair partners, prompting acquirers to pursue bolt-on acquisitions that can help expand footprint quickly.

EV AND ADAS REPAIR CAPABILITY In addition, workshops with demonstrated capabilities in EV repair or ADAS recalibration are in high demand, as these skills are in short supply and increasingly necessary for compliance and customer satisfaction.

STRONG OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY For many buyers, acquiring skilled labour through a transaction is more efficient than recruiting in a talent scarce environment.

INVESTMENT IN TECHNOLOGY AND SYSTEMS Technology and systems are another key draw with repairers, with modern equipment, digital workflows, and real-time tracking capabilities representing scalable, efficient platforms for future growth.

In the current market, EBITDA multiples for accident repair businesses generally range between 5x and 8x, with transaction values typically falling under the £100 million mark