New research reveals that UK drivers face a geographical lottery when searching for certified mechanics to repair their electric vehicles.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne leads the country in EV repair readiness. The North-East city has the highest proportion of garages with at least one certified EV technician – 79% of local vehicle repair shops employ qualified staff.
The data comes from Scrap Car Comparison, which examined the UK’s best and worst regions for EV-safe repair facilities. The findings reveal massive geographical disparities across the country.
While UK mechanics aren’t legally required to hold EV certification, some electric vehicle repairs demand specialized knowledge and training for safe completion. Most EV manufacturers require technicians to complete proper training to maintain vehicle warranties.
Mechanics and their employers also risk losing insurance policies if they’re not EV-trained.
This matters more as UK EV adoption accelerates and more electric cars reach the end of their manufacturer warranties. EVs captured more than half of all new car sales in November, taking a 26.4% market share. Used EV sales jumped 44.4% over the same period.
Regional Training Gaps
Scrap Car Comparison examined 40 local authority areas across the UK. Researchers calculated what proportion of repair businesses employed at least one IMI-certified EV technician.
Bath and North East Somerset finished second with 75% of workshops staffed with qualified technicians. Brighton and Hove took third place at 65%.
Flintshire and Torbay completed the top five regions with 47% and 43% respectively.
The research identified “repair blackspots” where EV owners struggle to find certified mechanics.
Eleven UK regions lack any EV-qualified repair shops entirely. Areas with zero IMI-certified staff include:
- Kirklees
- North Ayrshire
- Inverclyde
- North Somerset
- Bedford
- Bridgend County Borough
- North Lincolnshire
Five regions managed just 1% coverage each – North East Lincolnshire, Carmarthenshire, North Northamptonshire, Stockton-on-Tees, and the Isle of Wight.
East Sussex, Milton Keynes, Leicestershire, and Hartlepool rounded out the bottom tier. Each area has only 2% of garages staffed with qualified mechanics.
“Though most garages will likely repair EVs, the data shows that in reality, many may not have the appropriate certifications for handling vehicles with high-voltage electrical systems,” said Matt Clamp, customer service manager at Scrap Car Comparison.
“Many EV owners may not be aware that these certifications exist for mechanics, but it’s always worth double-checking with a garage before booking your vehicle in for repairs or maintenance.”
The findings highlight the infrastructure challenges facing the UK’s electric vehicle transition as ownership spreads beyond early adopters.
