The UAE automotive service centre market is evolving rapidly in structure, scale, and sophistication. In early 2025, overall vehicle registrations in the Emirates rose 13.8% indicating both rising consumer confidence. There were around 2,000 public EV charging stations nationwide as of 2024. At the technological front, car-tech innovation is rising. The in-vehicle apps market which includes integrated diagnostic and service platforms is USD 73.9 billion in 2024. The UAE automotive service centre market is at the intersection of traditional maintenance demand and a digital, EV-driven transformation.
What’s Driving Automotive Service Center Market in UAE?
- The UAE’s extreme weather conditions significantly accelerate vehicle wear and tear, leading to increased demand for regular maintenance and repairs. A 2024 survey indicated that vehicles in Dubai require servicing every 5,000–7,000 km, compared to the global average of 10,000–15,000 km. As a result, automotive service centers in the UAE report a 25–30% higher service frequency per vehicle annually.
- The UAE government’s electric vehicle agenda is rapidly altering the nature of automotive servicing. As of 2024, there were approximately 2,000 public EV charging stations across the UAE. Service centers are retooling with EV-specific diagnostic tools, high-voltage battery safety protocols, and OEM-certified training.
- Consumer expectations are shifting toward convenience, transparency, and digital engagement. The penetration of app-based platforms are revolutionizing how vehicle owners access maintenance services. In 2024. over 65% of routine service bookings in UAE metros were made via mobile apps.
Competitive Landscape
The UAE automotive service center market is highly fragmented, with established oil-backed infrastructure giants, app-based disruptors, and newly entering international OEMs capturing the market. The major players including ADNOC Distribution, MySyara, and Service My Car dominating the landscape. ADNOC Distribution remains the most dominant player in the UAE’s automotive service space. The company deployed 63 new electric vehicle fast-charging stations, bringing its total to 283 chargers as of 2024. MySyara has quickly become a formidable challenger to traditional workshops. The company introduced the country’s first “cloud garage” model in 2024 and has already launched 5 outlets, each profitable within 6 months. Meanwhile, Service My Car offers app-based vehicle servicing across the UAE, Oman, and the UK. The company raised USD 10 million in seed funding, fueling 300% annual growth.
Skilled Workforce Gap in Electric Vehicle and Advanced Diagnostics
The UAE automotive service center is facing a shortage of certified and technically skilled automotive service professionals, especially for EVs, ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems), and AI-integrated diagnostics. According to the UAE Ministry of Education and Emirates Skills, fewer than 2,000 certified electric vehicles service technicians were available across the UAE as of 2024. Moreover, global certifications such as IMI, ASE, and EVSA are not yet widely adopted in local vocational curricula. This has led to longer vehicle turnaround times, lower service accuracy, and dependency on dealership networks for EV repairs. Thus, creating bottlenecks and cost premiums for end consumers.
Future Outlook
The UAE automotive service center market is entering transformational phase, driven by electrification wave, customer-centric digital ecosystems, and AI-enhanced diagnostics. Electric Vehicles are expected to account for 30% of Dubai’s car fleet by 2030. Servicing these vehicles will require advanced battery diagnostics, thermal management expertise, and high-voltage safety-certified technicians. Public infrastructure is already adapting as Dubai targets 1,000 public electric vehicle green chargers by end-2025. Vocational disruption remains a key area to watch. Service providers must invest in OEM-certified upskilling and AI-assisted diagnostics to remain competitive. The next five years will see a redefinition of “automotive service” in the UAE, from mechanical repair hubs to digital-first, AI-enabled, EV-ready service ecosystems.
Consultant at Nexdigm In their latest publication “UAE Automotive Service Center Market Outlook to 2030: By Service Type (Preventive Maintenance, Mechanical Repairs, Electrical and Diagnostics, Body Repairs and Paintwork, Detailing and Customization), By Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars, Light Commercial Vehicles, Heavy Commercial Vehicles, Luxury Vehicles, Electric Vehicles), and By Service Provider Type (Authorized Dealership Workshops, Independent Garages, Mobile Mechanics, Quick Lube Centers, Aggregator Platforms)” believe that by partnering with app based aggregators and creating a technician upskilling pipeline for OEM, businesses can gain competitive advantage in UAE automotive service center market.