There has been much discussion recently around the issue of ‘Autobesity’ or ‘Car Bloat’ and parking; however, garages and workshops can also face problems with ever-widening cars. The average width of new cars (excluding wing mirrors) increased from 177.8cm in 2017 to 180.3cm in 2023.
Research also indicates that in 2023, over half of the new cars sold were too wide for the minimum 180cm on-street parking space in many UK cities. With this in mind, you can see how this impacts garages and workshops across the UK. Wider cars present several challenges for automotive repair workshops. Here are some of the key issues.
Limited Space: Many workshops were designed with older, narrower vehicles in mind. As cars become wider, there’s less room to manoeuvre them within the workshop, especially when working on multiple cars at once.
Equipment Limitations: Existing equipment, such as lifts or jacking beams, may not be designed to accommodate the increased width of modern cars. This can lead to difficulties in accessing and repairing wider cars.
Safety Concerns: Wider vehicles can pose safety risks for mechanics working around them. They may have less room to move freely, and there’s a greater chance of accidental damage to the car or equipment.
Infrastructure Challenges: Some workshops may have difficulty fitting wider cars into their bays or service areas. This can create logistical challenges and delays in servicing or repairs.
To address these challenges, many workshops are investing in new equipment and facilities to accommodate wider cars. If you want to know how we can help your business handle wider cars, have any other workshop equipment requirements or want to be part of our new business in the UK, email us via joinus@mullerautomotive.co.uk
