Latest IMI Vacancy Tracker - Motor Trade Vacancies Rise While UK Total Falls
Justine Hoadley • October 5, 2026
Institute of the Motor Industry
(Copyright text, IMI, reproduced with kind permission)
Motor trade vacancies rise while UK total falls
Read the full report here
Motor trade vacancies increased for the second reporting period in a row, reaching around 17,000 in June to August 2026. Across the UK, the total number of vacancies fell slightly.
The sector's job openings rate, which compares vacancies with the number of employee jobs, rose to 2.8%. This was the joint second-highest rate among UK industries.
At a glance
- Motor trades job openings rate: 2.8
- UK industry rank: joint second out of 23
- Vacancies in June to August 2026: around 17,000
- Change from May to July 2026: +6%
- Change from June to August 2025: broadly unchanged
- Change from June to August 2024: -15%
