Hi,

The problem we independents face is that many of the vehicles we work on are worth very little once they get to 5-6yrs old. Combine this with the fact that many are technically sophisticated and I feel that they will go the way of televisions, watches, shoes and many other things that were traditionally repaired rather than replaced. It doesn't take a genius to see that base model cars will be throwaway recyclable items in about 10 years.
Hopefully we may still have some oil to fuel them by then.
Plumbers and similar trades are in a different position, in that buildings and infrastructure tend to have a much longer life.You aren't going to scrap your house because it needs a new boiler or re-wiring.

Tom W