Replacement parts are an important area within the UK car market. Wear and tear often require car owners to replace parts themselves or have this work undertaken for them as part of regular servicing/maintenance or more direct support through the likes of fast fit centres.

Desk and field research undertaken by Chris valued the size of this market looking at a number of key replacement parts. Perhaps not surprisingly given their use, tyres were identified as by far the most important product followed by parts such as lights. As with other markets, the COVID-19 pandemic was identified as having both direct and impacts. Reduced travel reduced demand for parts with this made worse for suppliers by MOT delays and postponements of servicing by some car owners. Conversely, the research confirmed the long-term shift of the car market towards owning used vehicles which typically have a greater need for replacement parts.