Vehicle repair workshops across Ibiza are struggling to keep up with demand as a shortage of qualified mechanics, bodywork specialists and painters puts increasing pressure on the automotive sector.

Despite the end of the summer tourist season, some customers are still facing waiting times of several weeks for repairs, with bodywork appointments taking as long as two and a half months.

The situation was highlighted by Paco de la Cruz, vice-president of the PIMEEF Association of Workshops and Spare Parts, who says the island's housing difficulties, lack of industrial premises and shortage of skilled workers are combining to put local businesses under considerable pressure.

Waiting Times Continue After the Summer Season

According to De la Cruz, Ibiza's mechanical workshops currently have waiting lists of approximately two weeks for general mechanical work.

The situation is considerably more difficult for bodywork repairs, where customers may have to wait up to two and a half months.

He stressed that the delays are continuing even though the main tourist season has finished, suggesting that the pressure on local workshops is not simply a temporary consequence of summer traffic.

The main problem, he explained, is the lack of qualified personnel.

"There are no mechanics, no bodywork specialists and no painters," he said, describing the difficulties businesses face when trying to recruit experienced workers.

Housing Costs Make It Difficult to Recruit Mechanics

The shortage of skilled employees is closely connected to Ibiza's housing crisis.

De la Cruz explained that people considering moving to the island for employment increasingly expect businesses to help them find accommodation, in addition to offering salaries that reflect the cost of living.

He gave an example from his own workshop, where a mechanic recently announced that he would be leaving because he could not find somewhere to live.

According to De la Cruz, his business could employ approximately six additional workers across different qualification levels, including first-, second- and third-grade technicians.

Having those additional employees would allow the company to increase its capacity and reduce customer waiting times.

He said similar recruitment difficulties were affecting other official vehicle service centres across the island.

The problem is also being compounded by staff turnover. De la Cruz warned that businesses are sometimes forced to reduce their activity when they cannot retain sufficiently experienced or stable employees, creating further delays for customers.

Industrial Space and Workshop Closures Add to the Pressure

The lack of suitable industrial premises is another major concern for the sector.

De la Cruz said limited availability of industrial land is pushing up the cost of renting commercial units, making it increasingly difficult for existing businesses to remain operational and for new entrepreneurs to establish workshops.

He highlighted several recent closures:

• One workshop closed following the owner's retirement, with no successor able to make the rental costs commercially viable.

• Another workshop in Ca n'Escandell has already ceased operating.

• A third business in Sant Jordi is expected to close, with its representative citing tax pressure and the cost of industrial premises.

The closures are particularly concerning because they reduce the number of businesses available to handle the island's vehicle maintenance and repair requirements.

De la Cruz argued that the problem extends beyond the automotive sector, affecting other industrial activities such as carpentry and aluminium manufacturing.

Calls for a Review of Ibiza's Territorial Plan

The PIMEEF representative also called for an urgent review of the Island Territorial Plan, known as the PTI.

He acknowledged that a considerable amount of industrial activity on Ibiza has historically taken place on land without fully regularised industrial-use status.

In his view, the priority should now be to establish a clearer planning framework that allows businesses to operate legally and provides suitable space for industrial activities.

He argued that the island's challenge is no longer simply about allowing businesses to expand, but about organising existing activity and ensuring that companies have the appropriate premises to continue working.

Vehicle Dealerships Also Face Difficulties

The shortage of space and qualified staff is affecting vehicle dealerships and official repair services as well.

De la Cruz said that Land Rover currently offers maintenance services in Ibiza, while certain repairs have to be carried out on the Spanish mainland.

He also described difficulties affecting Volkswagen services.

At the same time, he anticipated the arrival of new automotive groups from Mallorca representing Chinese vehicle brands.

However, he suggested that the limited availability of premises and skilled workers could contribute to higher operating costs for these businesses.

Rising Repair Costs for Customers

The pressure on workshops is also being reflected in the prices customers are asked to pay.

De la Cruz estimated that an hourly labour rate that might previously have been around €50 can now reach €80 or €90.

He also gave the example of an oil change, which he said could previously have cost between €150 and €200 but may now reach €450 to €500.

These figures were provided by the PIMEEF representative as examples of the cost increases affecting the sector. They should not be interpreted as standard prices charged by every workshop on the island.

He also argued that the limited number of available workshops reduces competition and makes it more difficult to contain prices.

Without improvements in recruitment, industrial planning and the availability of suitable premises, De la Cruz warned that the situation could deteriorate further.

Strong Demand Creates Opportunities for New Workshops

Despite the difficulties, the wider sector also sees opportunities for businesses able to establish themselves successfully in Ibiza.

In an interview published by PIMEEF on 2 November, association president Miguel Ángel Escandell similarly acknowledged the shortage of qualified workers and industrial space.

However, he described opening a properly equipped mechanical workshop on the island as a potentially very good business opportunity because existing businesses have substantial workloads and customers often need to book appointments well in advance.

Escandell also highlighted the volume of vehicles circulating on Ibiza, including rental cars, vans and private vehicles, as a major contributor to demand for repair and maintenance services.

The two industry representatives therefore point to the same underlying imbalance: demand for automotive services is strong, but the availability of qualified workers and suitable workshop space is limiting the sector's ability to respond.

For Ibiza's motorists, the consequences are increasingly visible in longer waiting times, fewer available appointments and pressure on repair costs.