Electric Cars Are Taking Over — But Is the UK Parts Market Keeping Up?

The Shift No One Can Ignore

The UK’s roads are changing fast. Electric vehicles now make up nearly one in five new car registrations, and by 2035, petrol and diesel sales will be history. But behind the headlines about range, charging networks and flashy EV launches, there’s a quieter question that could decide whether this revolution really works: can the UK parts market keep up?

For decades, Britain’s automotive aftermarket has been built around combustion engines — pistons, gaskets, filters, spark plugs. Now, it’s pivoting towards batteries, cooling systems and advanced electronics. It’s an industrial shift that’s as deep as the one that brought fuel injection or ABS, but this time, the change is happening at lightning speed.

A Market in Motion

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the UK aftermarket is worth over £21 billion a year and supports around 345,000 jobs. That includes everything from garage technicians to online retailers. But as EV adoption rises, so does the pressure to adapt.

Traditional parts suppliers face a new kind of inventory: high-voltage cables, battery management modules, regenerative braking components and inverter units. Mechanics who once rebuilt engines now need qualifications to work safely around 800-volt systems. Even dismantlers and recyclers are learning to handle lithium batteries, not oil filters.

And while EVs have fewer moving parts than combustion cars, they’re far from maintenance-free. Cooling circuits, sensors, and electronic control units (ECUs) are already becoming the new wear-and-tear items.

The Growing Pains

One of the UK’s biggest challenges isn’t technology — it’s timing. Many garages and parts suppliers still rely heavily on combustion engine revenue. The used parts trade, for example, is booming for petrol and diesel models built over the past decade, but EV spares remain scarce and expensive.

Battery modules can cost thousands, and compatible used components are hard to find outside manufacturer networks. Independent suppliers and breakers are working to bridge that gap, but regulation and safety standards slow the process. The result? EV repairs can take longer and cost more — even when the fix itself is simple.

Signs of Adaptation

Still, there’s progress. New training programmes are rolling out nationwide to upskill technicians in high-voltage systems and EV diagnostics. Recyclers are beginning to build expertise in second-life battery use, while logistics companies are testing how to safely transport damaged packs.

At the same time, major auto part retailers are expanding their EV catalogues, offering cooling pumps, charging ports and electronic sensors for newer electric models. Digitalisation — from VIN-based part matching to AI-assisted diagnostics — is also helping suppliers respond faster to this new era.

The Road Ahead

The UK auto parts market isn’t just catching up — it’s transforming. In the next decade, expect to see hybrid business models: dismantlers specialising in EV components, independent workshops focusing on battery diagnostics, and used-part marketplaces trading everything from inverters to charging cables.

The trasition won’t be easy. But just as the industry once adapted to turbocharging, fuel injection and hybrid systems, it will evolve again — powered this time by electrons instead of petrol fumes.

Because if there’s one thing the UK automotive world knows how to do, it’s rebuild.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Market data is based on estimates from sources such as SMMT, IBISWorld, and Grand View Research as of 2025. Figures and projections may vary as the UK EV market and parts sector continue to develop.