New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that new business in the point of sale (POS) consumer car finance market fell 1% by volume in March, compared with the same month in 2018.  The corresponding value of new business was at a similar level to March 2018.

The POS consumer new car finance market reported a fall in new business in March of 3% by value and 5% by volume, compared with the same month in 2018.

The percentage of private new car sales financed by FLA members through the POS was 90.9% in the twelve months to March, down from 91.1% in the same period to February.

The POS consumer used car finance market reported new business up 9% by value in March, while volumes grew by 4%, compared with the same month in 2018.

Commenting on the figures, Geraldine Kilkelly, Head of Research and Chief Economist at the FLA, said:

“The POS consumer car finance market reported new business volumes stable in the first quarter of 2019, with a fall of 2% in the new car finance market offset by growth of 2% in the used car finance market. 

“The Q1 2019 performance reflects our expectations for the year as a whole, with annual new business volumes of around 2.4 million, a similar level to 2018.”

 Note to editors:

1. In 2018, FLA members provided £137 billion of new finance to UK businesses and households. £104 billion of this was in the form of consumer credit, more than a third of total new consumer credit written in the UK in 2018. £46 billion of it supported the purchase of new and used cars, including over 91% of private new car registrations.

2. For media enquiries, please contact the FLA press office on 020 7420 9656.