IAAF

What IAAF does

IAAF (Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation) is a UK trade association founded in 1930 (originally as the Motor Factors Association), headquartered in Birmingham. It represents the full UK independent automotive aftermarket value chain, with membership spanning vehicle parts manufacturers, suppliers, warehouse distributors, motor factors, buying/trading groups, and 3,000+ independent garages. Its core function is collective advocacy and member services rather than product development.

The federation's primary activities are government lobbying (including UK-level work on the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Order and EU-level influence via FIGIEFA), running the Right to Repair campaign, and delivering member services such as networking events (Annual Awards Dinner, regional meetings, conferences), exclusive GiPA market intelligence reports, weekly e-bulletins, alternative dispute resolution via a 2024 partnership with The Motor Ombudsman, a legal helpline, business insurance access, and Parts Professional Training. The organization is governed by an elected Council with representatives from across the aftermarket, currently led by Chief Executive Mark Field, President Craig McCracken, and Vice-Presidents Kevin Kelly (Robert Bosch) and Tina Drayson.

Commercially, IAAF operates as a non-profit membership federation funded by recurring annual membership fees across categories (Manufacturer/Supplier, Motor Factor, Warehouse Distributor, Trading Group, Garage, Other). Pricing is not publicly disclosed and new members are recruited via direct outreach, the website enquiry form, and event-driven networking. The federation maintains a small operational staff of 11 and markets itself through its website, social channels (Facebook, Twitter/X, LinkedIn), weekly newsletters, and earned media via policy briefs and consultation responses.

Name

IAAF

Legal name

Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation

Website

https://iaaf.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1930

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IAAF is the UK's leading automotive aftermarket trade association, founded in 1930 and headquartered in Birmingham. It represents manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, motor factors, and 3,000+ independent garages through advocacy, lobbying, training, and member services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Aftermarket Trade Association Services

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers (42312)

SIC

Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)

akta.pro primary industry

Mechanical replacement parts distribution (engine, drivetrain, steering, suspension, brakes) (CRAOANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Accessories & appearance products distribution (interior/exterior accessories, detailing, car care) (CRAOANAI), Automotive Aftermarket Parts Distribution (Light-Duty) (TLAKAOAA)

Keywords

• Automotive trade association
• Aftermarket federation
• Industry lobbying services
• Membership networking events
• Market intelligence reports

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: IAAF generates revenue through annual membership fees from automotive aftermarket businesses including suppliers, manufacturers, parts distributors, garages, and service providers. Membership provides access to lobbying representation, networking events, training programs, market intelligence reports, and various support services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IAAF (Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation) is the UK's leading automotive trade association, providing membership-based advocacy, lobbying, networking, and support services to the independent automotive aftermarket. It represents the full aftermarket chain—from manufacturers and parts suppliers through warehouse distributors and motor factors to over 3,000 independent garages—delivering government representation, exclusive GiPA market intelligence, training, events, ADR support, and Right to Repair campaigning.

Product overview

IAAF (Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation) is a UK trade association representing the automotive aftermarket, not a product or technology company. The organization provides membership services including networking, government lobbying, training programs, industry intelligence reports, events, and dispute resolution support. IAAF does not offer products in the traditional SaaS or technology product sense.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IAAF Membership Annual membership for UK automotive aftermarket businesses (manufacturers/suppliers, motor factors, warehouse distributors, buying/trading groups, garages, other) providing access to lobbying, networking, training, market intelligence, ADR, legal helpline, business insurance, and recruitment health check services.
• Government Lobbying and Advocacy Service Direct lobbying of UK government and, via FIGIEFA membership, EU institutions on legislation affecting the independent automotive aftermarket, including the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Order (MVBEO) and Right to Repair.
• GiPA Exclusive Market Intelligence Reports
• IAAF Networking Events and Conferences
• Parts Professional Training
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Service

Quantifiable outcome

• IAAF has successfully achieved legislation protecting the automotive aftermarket through Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Order (MVBEO)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• The Motor OmbudsmancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 August 2024IAAF has partnered with The Motor Ombudsman to provide Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services to over 3,000 independent garage members. This enhances member support with structured complaint resolution processes.
• Robert Bosch LtdcoreOthers · 11 April 2024Kevin Kelly, Sales Director UK & Ireland, Mobility Aftermarket at Robert Bosch Ltd, was appointed as IAAF Vice-President, succeeding to President role. This represents senior leadership involvement from a major aftermarket supplier.
• FIGIEFAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIAAF works with FIGIEFA at EU level for lobbying and regulatory advocacy. FIGIEFA is the European association representing independent automotive aftermarket distributors and traders. This partnership enables IAAF to influence EU legislation affecting the automotive aftermarket.
• GiPAcoreOthersIAAF provides exclusive GiPA market intelligence reports to members. GiPA is a global market research company providing industry intelligence data for the automotive aftermarket.
• Right to Repair CampaigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIAAF is part of the international Right to Repair Campaign, aimed at raising awareness of the sector to motorists and ensuring independent garages have access to vehicle manufacturer repair and maintenance information.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• HEVRA (Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Repair Alliance): UK-focused alliance for garages qualified to work on hybrid and electric vehicles. Directly comparable as a UK garage-focused membership association, but narrower in scope (EV-only) and represents a specific emerging sub-segment of IAAF's garage membership.

Broad incumbents

• Auto Care Association: US-based trade association for the automotive aftermarket. Comparable as a large, established aftermarket federation providing advocacy, market intelligence, and training, but operates in a different geography with much broader scope.
• Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance: Global distribution and marketing group for aftermarket parts. Comparable network serving independent distributors and warehouses; similar membership/business model to IAAF's warehouse distributor constituents, though operating as a commercial buying group.

Direct peers

• FIGIEFA: European federation representing independent automotive aftermarket distributors. IAAF is a member of FIGIEFA for EU-level lobbying, making it a direct peer at the international federation level with overlapping European regulatory advocacy remit.
• SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders): UK's leading automotive industry trade association. Directly comparable as a UK-based membership federation providing lobbying, networking, and market intelligence to automotive sector; IAAF focuses on the aftermarket while SMMT covers OEMs and the broader industry.
• Independent Garage Association (IGA): UK trade association representing independent garages. Overlaps directly with IAAF's independent garage membership segment and competes for the same right-to-repair and MOT advocacy mandate.
• Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI): UK trade body representing the retail motor industry, including franchised dealers and independent garages. Comparable as a UK membership association providing lobbying, legal, and training services to the automotive sector.
• Vehicle Body Repair Association (VBRA): UK trade association for the vehicle body repair sector. Comparable as a UK automotive vertical trade association with lobbying, training, and member services for a specific aftermarket vertical.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IAAF_Ltd
• Facebookfacebook.com/IAAF-421396265305979
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iaafauto

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IAAF