Although few UK motoring jobs have been automated to date, as many as 1.2 million face a 67% or higher probability of automation – representing up to £23.9 billion in annual salaries, according to research from MoneySuperMarket.

The long-term implications for motor retail companies could be a reduction in sales of light commercial vehicles, taxis and fleet cars, although increased utilisation could mean more reliance on aftersales.

MoneySuperMarket believes that automation of driving jobs could trigger some redundancies from 2020. Editor-in-chief Tom Flack said: “Automation will bring massive changes across the whole of society and those who drive for a living may be among the first to feel its effects.”

Flack said: “If businesses see an opportunity to save money by making drivers redundant, they are likely to grab it - that’s the nature of competition. We can only hope that automation brings with it fresh employment opportunities for those whose existing roles disappear.”