The automotive repair shop market in France encompasses all activities related to vehicle maintenance and repair. It covers a broad spectrum of services ranging from mechanical and electrical repair to routine maintenance, including bodywork, glass replacement, upholstery, as well as the installation of aftermarket parts and accessories.
The automotive industry is currently undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the rise of electric and hybrid vehicles and the gradual decline of internal combustion engine cars. This evolution is altering automotive maintenance needs and transforming the nature of the services offered by garages. Workshops must now integrate new technical skills and equip themselves to meet the requirements of new powertrains. This dynamic fosters innovation and the emergence of new concepts in the auto garage market, while reinforcing the strategic role of repair and maintenance in a context of a changing vehicle fleet.
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Despite challenging economic conditions, the auto repair sector remains a central pillar of the French economy. This segment, which is part of the broader automotive services market, employs 145,396 workers. The competitive landscape remains highly fragmented: more than 97 % of auto repair and body shops are micro-enterprises with fewer than 11 employees, reflecting a market that is deeply rooted in local communities.
Revenue in the light-duty vehicle repair sector is estimated at 26.74 billion euros in 2025, according to preliminary estimates from EPSIMAS. This revenue is on an upward trend, with an average annual growth rate of 5.72% between 2016 and 2025. However, adapting to new powertrains remains a challenge: only 14 % of repair technicians are currently trained in electric vehicle maintenance, highlighting a major need for skills development to support the transformation of the vehicle fleet in the medium term.
Market activity relies on a high volume of interventions, with around 18 million maintenance operations carried out each year, according to GiPA. This dynamic is supported by the aging of the French vehicle fleet, whose average age now reaches 11.4 years at the beginning of 2026. The slowdown in the new vehicle market (1.8 million registrations in 2025) extends the length of ownership and structurally strengthens the demand for local maintenance services.
Sources: Epsimas, Automobile Services Branch Report – 2025, INSEE; GiPA
Consumers, seeking competitive services, are becoming increasingly demanding and fickle. Faced with a wide variety of options—whether for purchasing vehicles or for maintenance and repairs—they choose service providers based on value for money, the reputation of the repair shops, and additional services. Electrified powertrains are gaining ground and will account for nearly 60 % of new vehicle registrations in 2024, driven by non-plug-in hybrids. However, the French vehicle fleet remains predominantly composed of gasoline and diesel vehicles, sustaining strong demand for traditional maintenance.
To support this renewal, the automotive services sector has created three professional qualification certificates. Indeed, they are dedicated to the maintenance and dismantling of electric vehicle batteries. This skills enhancement prepares garages for future technical needs.
With regard to household budgets, average spending on the maintenance and repair of personal vehicles is projected to reach 214 euros per household in 2024, with annual growth of 2.2 %. Over the long term, spending has grown by an average of 5.2 % per year since 2015 and is expected to continue growing at a rate of 5.3 % through 2029. As a result, car maintenance is placing an increasing burden on household budgets, underscoring the importance for auto repair shops to offer tailored and efficient services.
Sources: Epsimas, ANFA, IFOP (Study: The French, their car and the economy) DIY - 2024
The market offering of automotive repair shops is based on a combination of technical and commercial services. Two main revenue streams structure the sector: the sale of spare parts, estimated at 13.5 billion euros, and labor, valued at 7.4 billion euros. This distribution reflects the growing importance of maintenance and repair operations in the context of an aging vehicle fleet and the increasing complexity of automobiles. The technological evolution of the vehicle fleet, marked by the rise of electric and hybrid vehicles, is progressively transforming the offering. This tends to increase the importance of electronic diagnostics, preventive maintenance, and high-value-added interventions.
The market remains highly fragmented, with 40 % of companies classified as very small businesses, but a trend toward consolidation is underway. Manufacturer networks continue to hold a significant share of the repair market. Nevertheless, independent auto mechanics play a central role thanks to their proximity to customers and their flexibility. Auto service centers, tire shops, and quick-service repair providers round out the offerings. This complementarity contributes to a denser competitive landscape. As a result, technical specialization, service quality, and investment capacity are becoming key differentiators in the auto repair market.
Sources: Epsimas, Automobile Services Branch Report – 2025, INSEE; GiPA
The automotive repair shop market in France is characterized by intense and heterogeneous competition, pitting traditional players, organized networks, and digital platforms against each other. Historic maintenance brands, such as Feu-Vert, Norauto, and Midas, have strengthened their multi-channel strategies by combining physical networks with digital appointment-booking solutions. This approach aims to build loyalty among a customer base that is increasingly sensitive to price, transparency, and the speed of service.
Meanwhile, online specialists in spare parts and tires (Oscaro, Allopneus) are exerting growing pressure on garages. They are driving the growth of «DIY garages» or repairs using customer-supplied parts, which is fragmenting the traditional value chain. Generalist platforms like Amazon or Le Bon Coin are accentuating this trend by facilitating large-scale access to the supply.
The distribution network is also structured around networks comprising dealerships, brand agents, and independent garages. Multi-brand groups (Emil Frey France, Gueudet) are accelerating the sector's consolidation through successive acquisitions.
A clear underlying trend has emerged: electric cars account for a stable share of new vehicle sales, reaching 16.8 % of the market in 2024. The supply of non-rechargeable hybrid models is now dominant at 33.4 %. This shift is partly explained by improvements in the range of these vehicles. In addition, incentive programs are also encouraging households to purchase electric vehicles. As a result, demand in the electric and hybrid segments is expected to increase in the coming years.
The overall share of internal combustion engines continues to decline. The used-car market is showing signs of recovery. In 2024, sales rose by 2.9 % following a historically low 2023, despite a continued decline in the new-car market (-5.2 % in 2025). The average age of vehicles sold on the used-car market is finally beginning to stabilize, now standing at 10.6 years. For the first time, diesel vehicles accounted for less than 50 % of total sales.
The automotive repair shop market also exhibits strong seasonality. While interest in the service varies throughout the year, major activity peaks are observed in July and August. This period is the busiest for garages. It combines safety check-ups before holiday departures and emergency repairs related to summer travel. Search data confirms this trend: interest in the keyword “car garage” reaches its peak in summer, illustrating the high concentration of repair needs during these two months.
Sources: INSEE, Epsimas, DES, Google Trends
Automobile repair shops are registered under the following NAF code:
Class 45.20: Maintenance and repair of motor vehicles.
This class includes:
Vehicle maintenance and repair is:
This class does not include:
The most frequent subclass in the sector is the NAF code Maintenance and repair of light motor vehicles
Source : INSEE
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