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Today, Autotech Recruit is celebrating a remarkable milestone: Geoff, the company’s oldest contract MOT tester, turns 80 years old. Still actively working and in high demand, Geoff is a shining example of how experience continues to shape the automotive industry and how older professionals are redefining retirement.
With a career spanning decades, Geoff has witnessed the motor trade evolve from the days of catalytic converters to the rise of electric vehicles, and from clipboard checks to digital diagnostics. Since joining Autotech Recruit in June 2018, he’s become a trusted presence in workshops across East Anglia.
Known for his meticulous attention to detail and deep technical knowledge, Geoff ensures every vehicle he inspects meets the highest safety standards. Beyond that, his willingness to share his expertise is helping to mentor and inspire the next generation of vehicle technicians.
The Great Unretirement: Why More Older Technicians Are Returning to Work
Geoff’s story is part of a wider trend known as the “Great Unretirement.” Across the UK, a growing number of older professionals are returning to work or delaying retirement driven by rising living costs, a desire to stay active, and the flexibility of modern work arrangements.
Today, nearly 1 million more people aged 65 and over are working compared to the start of the millennium. Around 11.5% of the UK population now works past the age of 65 - double the figure from 2000.
Contracting and self-employment are proving especially popular among this group. At Autotech Recruit, more than 30 contractors are aged 60 and above, using the freedom of contract work to shape careers on their own terms.
Take John, for example. After 25 years running his own MOT centre, he sold the business and embraced full-time contracting. “After selling my garage I found it difficult to settle in one place,” he explains. “When I heard about contracting, I felt it was the perfect solution. My weekends are my own now. I enjoy working in the garden most weekends, and I still get to do the work I love.”
As the motor trade continues to evolve rapidly, there’s growing concern that experienced technicians may leave the industry rather than retrain, taking their invaluable skills with them. Contract work offers a solution, allowing seasoned professionals to stay engaged, share their knowledge, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
“Geoff’s ongoing commitment at 80 is more than just a feel-good milestone,” says Simon King, CEO of Autotech Group. “It’s a call to action for the automotive industry to rethink how it supports and retains older workers - not just for their productivity, but for the deep reservoirs of insight, reliability, and mentorship they bring.”
Geoff’s story is a testament to the value of experience and a reminder that there’s still plenty of road left for those who want to keep driving their careers forward. For many, retirement doesn’t mean stepping away completely, but rather finding new ways to stay involved, on their own terms.
If you’re retired or nearing retirement and curious about how contracting could fit into your lifestyle, we’d love to hear from you. Whether it’s a few days a week or something more regular, there’s a place for your skills in today’s workshops. Discover how flexible contract work can keep you in the trade you love. Get in touch with our team on 01234 240503 or email hello@autotechrecruit.co.uk.