Consumer car finance new business volumes fell by 12% in June 2022

4 August 2022

New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that consumer car finance new business volumes fell in June 2022 by 12% compared with the same month in 2021. The corresponding value of new business decreased by 6% over the same period. In the first half of 2022, new business volumes were 6% higher than in the same period in 2021.

The consumer new car finance market reported a fall in new business of 21% by value and 28% by volume in June compared with the same month in 2021. In the first half of 2022, new business volumes in this market were 4% lower than in the same period in 2021.

The consumer used car finance market reported new business up 10% by value, but 3% lower by volume in June compared with the same month in 2021. In the first half of 2022, new business volumes in this market were 12% higher than in the same period in 2021.

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

“In June, the new car finance market reported its largest contraction in new business volumes since February 2021 as vehicle shortages continued to disrupt the market’s recovery.  By contrast, the business used car finance market reported record monthly new business volumes in June, and consumer used car finance new business volumes were only slightly lower than in June 2021.

“Consumer spending is expected to weaken during the second half of 2022 as incomes are squeezed by higher inflation, interest rates, and taxes.  Our Q3 2022 industry outlook survey suggests 56% of motor finance respondents expect growth in new business over the next year, down from 76% in the Q2 2022 survey.

“As always, customers who are worried about meeting payments should speak to their lender as soon as possible to find a solution.”

Table 1: Cars bought on finance by consumers through the point of sale

New business

Jun 2022

%

 change on prev. year

3
months to Jun 2022

% change on prev. year

12 months to Jun 2022

% change on prev. year

New cars

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value of advances (£m)

1,435

-21

4,400

-9

17,501

-4

Number of cars

56,877

-28

175,727

-14

720,983

-8

Used cars

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value of advances (£m)

2,051

10

6,297

16

22,818

19

Number of cars

132,305

-3

399,272

-1

1,508,235

4

Total cars

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value of advances (£m)

3,486

-6

10,697

4

40,319

8

Number of cars

189,182

-12

574,999

-6

2,229,218

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 2: Cars bought on finance by businesses

New business

Jun 2022

%

 change on prev.

year

3

months to Jun

2022

% change on prev. year

12 months to Jun 2022

% change on prev. year

New cars

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of cars

22,480

-27

68,011

-22

276,642

-11

Used cars

           

Number of cars

12,760

226

27,990

116

71,715

33

 Note to editors:

  1. Consumer motor finance reported in these figures refers to finance obtained through the point of sale.
  2. In 2021, FLA members provided £132 billion of new finance to UK businesses and households. £101 billion of this was in the form of consumer credit, over a third of total new consumer credit written in the UK in 2021. £45 billion of it supported the purchase of new and used cars, including almost 92% of private new car registrations.
  3. FLA Q3 Industry Outlook Survey results may be found here.
  4. For media enquiries, please contact the FLA press office on 020 7420 9656.

 

 

Become a member

What are the benefits of becoming an FLA Member?