New data from epyx indicates Chinese-branded cars are now market competitive on core service, maintenance and repair (SMR) metrics in UK fleets. In 2025, their average vehicle off road (VOR) time fell below other makes, while booking lead times remain slightly longer amid industry-wide delays.
Key metrics
- VOR (days off road):
- 2025: Chinese 1.25; Rest of world 1.37
- 2020: Chinese 2.17; Rest of world 1.58
- Lead times (days to secure a booking):
- 2025: Chinese 15.73; Rest of world 14.88
- 2020: Chinese 12.29; Rest of world 10.85
The figures show a sharp improvement in Chinese brands’ repair turnaround since 2020 and a smaller improvement for other brands, alongside longer booking waits for all manufacturers.
Adoption in UK fleets
- Chinese brands’ share of new cars added to 1link:
- 2020: 0.72%
- 2023: 4.79%
- 2024: 4.81%
- 2025: 4.30% (a slight dip year on year)
- Brands on the 1link platform: 55 (2020) to 56 (2025), with a dozen-plus new entrants not yet represented.
Despite improved SMR performance, fleet penetration by Chinese brands remains measured, suggesting much of their visibility may be driven by retail registrations.
What’s driving the shift
- Investments by major Chinese manufacturers in UK franchise dealer networks, parts hubs and training centres have strengthened aftersales support and reduced downtime.
- Longer lead times across the market likely reflect workshop capacity pressures, parts logistics and repair complexity rather than brand-specific issues.
Why it matters for fleet operators
- Reduced VOR helps increase vehicle uptime, limit replacements and control operating costs.
- Persistently longer booking waits require proactive scheduling, supplier network breadth and parts planning.
- Procurement decisions should weigh service coverage, parts availability and total cost of ownership alongside vehicle price and technology.
Outlook
Chinese brands have closed the 2020 gap on the most critical uptime measure and are now slightly behind on lead times. As volumes scale, fleets will watch whether booking delays converge with the wider market and whether current SMR performance holds. Epyx plans to continue tracking these trends across its 1link Service Network.
