New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that the consumer car finance market reported a fall in new business volumes of 21% in September 2021 compared with the same month in 2020. In the nine months to September 2021, new business volumes were 9% higher than in the same period in 2020.

The consumer new car finance market reported a fall in new business of 25% by value and 27% by volume in September compared with the same month in 2020. In the nine months to September 2021, new business volumes in this market were 6% higher than in the same period in 2020.  The percentage of private new car sales financed by FLA members in the twelve months to September 2021 was 93.8%, up from 93.3% in August.

The consumer used car finance market reported a fall in new business of 4% by value and 15% by volume in September compared with the same month in 2020. In the nine months to September 2021, new business volumes in this market remained 11% higher than in the same period in 2020.

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

“Supply chain issues have been particularly acute in the car market which is reflected in the 17% fall in new business volumes reported by the consumer car finance market in Q3 2021. Motor finance providers expect constraints on new car supply to ease sooner than those in the used car market. The supply issues in the new car market have primarily been driven by the lack of semi-conductors, while the knock-on effects from new car shortages combined with high demand have hit used car supply.

“Despite the risks to the economic and market recovery from supply chain disruption, higher inflation and further waves of Covid-19, our latest research suggests that the industry has maintained its optimism about the opportunities for growth. FLA’s Q4 2021 industry outlook survey shows that 88% of motor finance providers expected new business growth over the next twelve months.” 

Note to editors:

1. Consumer motor finance reported in these figures refers to finance obtained through the point of sale.
2. In 2020, FLA members provided £113 billion of new finance to UK businesses and households. £86 billion of this was in the form of consumer credit, over a third of total new consumer credit written in the UK in 2020. £39 billion of it supported the purchase of new and used cars, including over 93% of private new car registrations.
3. The FLA Q4 2021 Industry Outlook Survey results may be found here.
4. For media enquiries, please contact the FLA press office on 020 7420 9656.