Britain’s independent garage are closing at a rate of one a week, thanks to competition from fast fits and franchised dealers and other social factors, according to the latest Motor Trader Top 75 Independent Garages survey.

Small-to-medium sized dealerships will be hit hardest by economic uncertainty in 2008, according to Ernst & Young’s 2008 Car Dealership Report.

Consolidation continues to be rife in the body repair sector, according to the findings of this year’s Motor Trader Top 100 Independent Bodyshops survey, sponsored by 3MAutomotive Aftermarket.

The newly updated Motor Trader Top 200, sponsored by Mobil 1, is now available to download.

A lot has been said and written about measures to reduce the impact of cars on the environment but little research has been done on how dealers are tackling green issues in the way they run their businesses.