Artificial intelligence is reshaping the automotive aftermarket in ways that are subtle but transformative, according to Tilak Kasturi, founder and chief executive of Predii, an AI services company for automotive parts. Kasturi argues that data interoperability—ensuring different systems can communicate seamlessly—is the linchpin for unlocking AI’s full potential. “If you solve that problem, all systems speak,” he said.
One of the most immediate benefits lies in complex diagnostics. AI tools can guide technicians through intricate repair scenarios, reducing uncertainty and accelerating fault resolution. “The complaint-to-resolution is one area where AI helps immensely,” Kasturi explained. Beyond diagnostics, AI agents are already at work in parts logistics, anticipating requirements during estimate preparation and automatically suggesting and ordering components.
Adoption is not without hurdles. Data governance, copyright protection and compliance with frameworks such as GDPR and ISO standards remain pressing concerns. The challenge of integrating AI with legacy systems and adapting workforces to new tools also persists.
Even so, analysts highlight the potential of AI across the aftermarket value chain. Applications include inventory management, dynamic pricing and predictive maintenance—capabilities that allow businesses to optimise stock levels, adjust prices in real time and prevent failures before they occur. The result is greater efficiency and improved customer experience.
Statistics point to rising adoption, with AI-powered diagnostic and repair tools boosting technician productivity and accuracy. Upfront costs remain a barrier, but industry experts argue that long-term savings and profitability outweigh the initial investment. The key, they say, is for workshops to adopt management and parts systems with AI features designed to enhance search, speed and accuracy while cutting manual effort.
For the UK automotive aftermarket, this shift offers a chance to position itself at the forefront of responsible AI-driven innovation. While challenges around governance and integration must be addressed, the sector’s growing enthusiasm signals a strong trajectory.
As AI becomes an embedded part of workshop operations, business leaders are urged to prioritise technologies that directly improve workflow efficiency and customer satisfaction. In doing so, the UK could strengthen its claim as a global leader in automotive aftermarket excellence.
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