With the pace of change across the aftermarket showing no signs of slowing, this year’s UK Garage & Bodyshop Event is shaping up to be one of the most relevant and practical dates in the calendar for workshops, repairers and bodyshops alike.
Taking place at the NEC Birmingham on 3rd and 4th June 2026, the event brings together the tools, training and real-world insight needed to navigate a market that is becoming more complex by the day. From electrification and advanced diagnostics to evolving legislation, customer expectations and workshop profitability, the focus is firmly on the issues that matter on the workshop floor right now.
What sets the UK Garage & Bodyshop Event apart is its emphasis on hands-on learning and practical takeaways. Visitors can expect live demonstrations, working equipment, and direct access to the brands and experts shaping the future of the sector. Whether it’s exploring new diagnostic capabilities, understanding ADAS calibration requirements or getting to grips with emerging repair techniques, the event is designed to help businesses leave better equipped than when they arrived.
New for 2026, the introduction of the Bodyshop Village reflects the growing importance of the collision repair sector, creating a dedicated space where bodyshops can explore the latest tools, materials and processes in action. Alongside this, features such as the Ignite Arena and a comprehensive seminar programme ensure there is no shortage of insight, covering everything from EV readiness and data access to business growth and skills development.
Joanne Knowles, Event Director at Messe Frankfurt UK, explains: “Body repair is changing fast, in materials, methods and expectations around safety, speed and evidence of quality. The addition of the Bodyshop Village is our response to that shift – an expanded space built around practical discovery, where repairers can see solutions working live, test ideas with suppliers and leave with knowledge they can use immediately.”
Beyond the technology and training, the event also provides something just as valuable, connection. With leading suppliers, independent workshops, technicians and industry bodies all under one roof, it offers a rare opportunity to share experiences, compare approaches and gain a clearer view of where the aftermarket is heading next.
In a market where standing still is not an option, the UK Garage & Bodyshop Event continues to position itself as a place where the industry can come together to learn, adapt and move forward.
