As the UK remains in lockdown, consumers are continuing to shift online at an ever-increasing rate, with ecommerce sales up 74% last month compared to the same month last year. In fact, Forbes magazine suggested that the pandemic has accelerated ecommerce growth by between four and six years. Unsurprisingly, many traditionally offline industries and companies are now embracing an increasingly online future. One such company is Fixter, the UK’s first end-to-end online car maintenance service provider, which is riding the crest of this digital wave, having reported record year-on-year net revenue growth of 200%.

The UK is the second largest e-commerce market in the world and the reasons behind its proliferation are clear. With 24/7 accessibility, online shoppers also enjoy the greater levels of transparency, trust and upfront pricing which ecommerce typically provides. The automotive industry has begun adapting to this retail trend, with online car sales rising and many new retailers emerging. The same pattern is now emerging in car maintenance, as UK motorists shift to Fixter’s digitally-led service, which makes this aspect of car ownership as easy as ordering a takeaway.

The London-based business with over 500 independent garages in its UK network has grown rapidly in recent years. So much so that Fixter is now seeking additional investors to fund its continued growth, including expansion into Europe, as it looks to more than double its revenues every year over the next five years.

Currently however, another crucial element is being factored in, safety. While many aspects of normal life have been put on hold, car maintenance is still needed to keep Britain moving. Now, more than ever, privately owned cars are being used as safe and secure ‘private transportation bubbles’, often in place of buses and trains. From NHS workers and delivery drivers, to volunteers and commuting workers who are unable to work from home, keeping your four-wheeled friend in fine fettle has become even more essential. In addition to the need for social distancing and the usual demands of modern life, working from home and homeschooling have added new challenges for many. As a result, making a visit to the local garage has become a significant logistical challenge and loss of precious time.

Limvirak Chea, Founder and CEO, Fixter, said: “The pandemic has changed the way in which people rely on their cars as a COVID-secure safe space. As a result, we have seen a huge increase in demand for our service. At Fixter, our contact-free, door-to-door service enables car owners to not just keep their car in good working order, but crucially, to protect themselves and those they care about by not making unnecessary journeys. The fact that we can also save people time, money and worry in these uncertain times is what is driving us forwards on our mission to keep Britain moving.”

Fixter’s tech-led approach allows car owners to book MOTs, servicing and repairs within minutes, as well as get an instant quote, using a laptop or smartphone. Now, during the pandemic, their door-to-door contact-free service, with convenient thirty-minute time slots for delivery and collection and live text updates, customers can spend less time worrying about car admin and focus on the things that matter to them.

Transparency and ease-of-use are also key, with the Fixter approach to modern day car care taking the hassle out of car ownership. The award-winning firm employs in-house technicians who liaise directly with its high-quality garage network for service and repair quotes and approvals, so that there are no nasty surprises. At the same time, in these uncertain economic times, cost has become even more important. Fixter comes to the rescue by offering the potential to save up to 30% compared to typical franchised dealer costs. Their approach is clearly working, given the company’s very positive 4.5 out of five stars on Google Reviews.