Every workshop sees patterns over time, but we wanted to take a closer look at the vehicles coming through our doors. We analysed our 2025 workshop data to identify the makes and models that appeared most frequently throughout the year.
And there were no surprises when it came to the top dog at our workshop. See if your car is amongst the most common and what North Shore drivers like to get around in.
The Top 10 Vehicle Brands We Serviced in 2025
Rank | Brand | Share of Vehicles Serviced |
1 | Toyota | 27.0% |
2 | Mazda | 9.0% |
3 | Ford | 6.9% |
4 | Nissan | 5.8% |
5 | Mitsubishi | 5.5% |
6 | Hyundai | 5.3% |
7 | Subaru | 5.0% |
8 | Volkswagen | 4.7% |
9 | Holden | 4.6% |
10 | Isuzu | 2.8% |
The Top 10 Vehicle Models We Serviced in 2025
Rank | Model | Share of Vehicles Serviced |
1 | Toyota HiLux | 9.4% |
2 | Ford Ranger | 2.9% |
3 | Mitsubishi Triton | 2.8% |
4 | Mazda 3 | 2.6% |
5 | Toyota Corolla | 2.6% |
6 | Mazda BT-50 | 2.5% |
7 | Hyundai i30 | 2.1% |
8 | Toyota LandCruiser Prado | 2.0% |
9 | Toyota HiAce | 1.9% |
10 | Nissan Navara | 1.6% |
Toyota Is Our Customers’ Number One Brand
One trend stood out immediately. Toyota wasn’t just number one, it completely dominated the workshop throughout 2025. More than one in every four vehicles we serviced during 2025 was a Toyota, making it comfortably the most common brand to come through our workshop.
While Toyota has built a strong reputation for reliability over many years, its popularity also means there are simply more Toyotas on Australian roads requiring routine servicing, log book servicing and general maintenance.
The Toyota HiLux was the clear standout, accounting for 9.4% of all vehicles serviced. It was serviced more than three times as often as the second placed Ford Ranger, and around one in every three Toyotas we saw was a HiLux.
That result doesn’t surprise us. The HiLux has earned a reputation as the ultimate work vehicle during the week while still being equally capable of towing a caravan, heading off road or taking the family away on the weekend. Its versatility is one of the reasons it continues to be one of Australia’s favourite vehicles.
Australia’s Love Affair With Japanese Brands
Another trend that stood out was the dominance of Japanese manufacturers.
Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Subaru and Isuzu accounted for 55% of all vehicles serviced during 2025.
Japanese brands have built their reputation on reliability, practicality and value for money. Whether it’s a family hatchback, a dual cab ute or a large 4WD, they continue to be a popular choice for Australian drivers looking for dependable everyday transport.
Tradies’ Favourite Vehicles
Australia’s love of dual cab utes was impossible to ignore.
The Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton, Mazda BT-50 and Nissan Navara all featured in the top ten most serviced models. Together, they represented almost one in every five vehicles we serviced during 2025.
It’s easy to see why these vehicles remain so popular. They comfortably handle the demands of the work week before transitioning into capable touring, towing and camping vehicles on the weekend. That combination of practicality and versatility continues to make them a favourite among tradies and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
What Our Workshop Data Says About Local Drivers
While dual cab utes attracted plenty of attention, passenger cars still made up the largest category of vehicles serviced.
|
Vehicle Type |
Share of Vehicles Serviced |
|
Passenger cars |
51.6% |
|
Dual cab & light utes |
22.6% |
|
SUVs & 4WDs |
21.6% |
|
Vans |
4.1% |
Passenger cars represented just over half of all vehicles serviced, reflecting the wide variety of hatchbacks, sedans and small cars used for commuting and family transport.
However, the ute category tells a different story. Rather than dozens of different models sharing the market, Australia’s leading dual cab utes consistently dominate. The HiLux, Ranger, Triton, BT-50 and Navara have become trusted vehicles for work, recreation and everything in between.
Together, dual cab utes and SUVs accounted for 44% of all vehicles serviced, highlighting the continued popularity of larger, more versatile vehicles among local drivers.
Does Seeing More Toyotas Mean They’re Less Reliable?
Not at all! The number of vehicles we service is heavily influenced by how many are on the road. Toyota is Australia’s best selling automotive brand, so it’s only natural that we see more of them than almost any other manufacturer.
It’s also important to remember that workshop visits don’t automatically mean repairs. Many of the vehicles we see are booked in for routine servicing, log book servicing, tyre replacements, brake inspections, rego checks and preventative maintenance.
In many cases, the vehicles we service most often are simply the vehicles Australians choose to drive.
Keeping Australia’s Favourite Vehicles on the Road
Every year brings new vehicles, new technology and new challenges, but one thing remains the same: helping local drivers keep their vehicles safe and reliable.
From everyone at Matt Gates Automotive, we’d like to thank our customers for continuing to trust us with their vehicles. We look forward to seeing what car you bring to the workshop next!
Note: This analysis is based on vehicles serviced by Matt Gates Automotive during 2025. It reflects the vehicles seen in our workshop and is intended as an interesting snapshot of local servicing trends rather than the broader Australian vehicle market.
FAQs
Why were Toyota vehicles the most commonly serviced?
Toyota vehicles made up more than one in every four vehicles serviced during 2025. This reflects the popularity of the brand in Australia for passenger and work related vehicles. Toyota’s are highly reliable and come in a range of models to suit varying Australian family sizes and lifestyles.
Why are dual cab utes so popular?
Dual cab utes offer a combination of work capability, towing capacity and everyday practicality. They are not just used as tradie vehicles. Many owners use the same vehicle for work during the week before taking it camping, towing or off road on weekends.
Does a popular vehicle get serviced more often?
Not necessarily. Popular vehicles are simply more common on Australian roads, so workshops naturally see more of them for routine servicing, inspections and repairs.