KIPX Insights and Research

Category: Automotive aftermarket

  • How big is a typical independent workshop in South Africa?

    Answer: the average independent workshop in South Africa runs 4.6 service bays and employs 3.1 mechanics. The average parts and spares store has 2.5 counter staff. Most outlets are small: 2,392 of 3,116 verified outlets (77%) were graded Small tier on site.

    Source: KIPX South African Independent Aftermarket Census, 2026 edition. Every outlet was visited in person by KIPX fieldworkers, 2018 to 2026.

    Outlets by size tier

    TierOutletsShare of verified outlets
    Small2,39277%
    Medium46415%
    Large2016%
    Tiers were assigned by fieldworkers on site.

    What the tiers show

    • Medium and Large outlets are about one in five verified outlets but carry 44% of the addressable lubricant volume.
    • The typical independent workshop is a small, owner-run business: under five bays and around three mechanics.

    Frequently asked questions

    How many mechanics work in an average South African workshop?

    3.1, according to the KIPX field census. The average independent workshop has 4.6 service bays.

    What share of South African workshops are small?

    77% of the 3,116 verified workshops and parts stores in the KIPX census were graded Small tier on site.

    Need the detail behind these numbers? The census is available as a full report, regional packs and an outlet-level database. Book a consult or email hello@kipx.co.za for the sample edition.

  • How many independent workshops are there in South Africa?

    Answer: the KIPX field census has verified 1,838 mechanical workshops and 1,278 parts and spares stores trading in South Africa, a core of 3,116 outlets. They come from 9,054 automotive sites visited in person by KIPX fieldworkers between 2018 and 2026.

    Source: KIPX South African Independent Aftermarket Census, 2026 edition. Every outlet was visited in person by KIPX fieldworkers, 2018 to 2026.

    Key figures

    MeasureFigure
    Automotive sites visited9,054
    Outlets verified trading, all trades3,309
    Workshops and parts stores3,116
    Mechanical workshops1,838
    Parts and spares stores1,278
    True independents2,827
    Franchise or chain branches (40+ groups)289

    Verified outlets by province

    ProvinceOutlets verified
    Gauteng1,424
    KwaZulu-Natal427
    Western Cape412
    Free State289
    North West289
    Limpopo174
    Northern Cape96

    Verified outlets by metro

    MetroOutlets verified
    Ekurhuleni (East Rand)624
    Cape Town346
    Johannesburg329
    eThekwini (Durban)221
    Tshwane (Pretoria)198
    Mangaung (Bloemfontein)173
    Emfuleni (Vaal)114
    Rustenburg86

    How the census works

    Every outlet in the census was visited in person and confirmed trading on site, with the owner or manager wherever possible. Fieldwork has run continuously since 2018 and the outlet universe is kept current.

    Frequently asked questions

    How many mechanical workshops are there in South Africa?

    The KIPX census has verified 1,838 trading mechanical workshops in South Africa, each visited in person by KIPX fieldworkers.

    How many auto parts shops are there in South Africa?

    The KIPX census has verified 1,278 trading parts and spares stores in South Africa, from 9,054 automotive sites visited between 2018 and 2026.

    Which province has the most independent workshops?

    Gauteng, with 1,424 verified outlets, the most of any province. Ekurhuleni alone has 624, more than any other metro.

    Need the detail behind these numbers? The census is available as a full report, regional packs and an outlet-level database. Book a consult or email hello@kipx.co.za for the sample edition.