Consumer car finance new business volumes fell by 3% in July 2022

8 September 2022

New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that consumer car finance new business volumes fell in July 2022 by 3% compared with the same month in 2021. However, the corresponding value of new business increased by 5% over the same period. In the first seven months of 2022, new business volumes were also 5% higher than in the same period in 2021.

The consumer new car finance market reported a fall in new business of 5% by value and 14% by volume in July compared with the same month in 2021. In the first seven months of 2022, new business volumes in this market were 5% lower than in the same period in 2021.

The consumer used car finance market reported new business up 13% by value, and 3% by volume in July compared with the same month in 2021. In the first seven months of 2022, new business volumes in this market were 11% higher than in the same period in 2021.

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

“The consumer new car finance market remained subdued in July as shortages of supply continued to disrupt the market’s post-pandemic recovery. By contrast, the consumer used car finance market reported its ninth consecutive month of double-digit growth in the value of new business and a return to growth in new business volumes.

“Despite the challenges posed by the worst inflationary environment since the 1970s, the motor finance industry remains in a strong position to continue to meet demand for the financing of car purchases in the coming months, while providing targeted support to those customers who may need it.

“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

Jul 2022

%

 change on prev. year

3
months to Jul 2022

% change on prev. year

12 months to Jul 2022

% change on prev. year

New cars

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value of advances (£m)

1,336

-5

4,290

-12

17,433

-3

Number of cars

52,239

-14

169,464

-18

713,004

-7

Used cars

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value of advances (£m)

1,979

13

6,197

14

23,049

22

Number of cars

129,687

3

399,038

0

1,511,825

6

Total cars

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value of advances (£m)

3,314

5

10,487

2

40,482

10

Number of cars

181,926

-3

568,502

-6

2,224,829

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 2: Cars bought on finance by businesses

New business

Jul 2022

%

 change on prev.

year

3

months to Jun

2022

% change on prev. year

12 months to Jul 2022

% change on prev. year

New cars

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of cars

21,194

-16

65,818

-21

272,609

-12

Used cars

           

Number of cars

7,717

99

30,364

165

75,556

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 policy priorities for 2022 and beyond may be found here.
  4. For media enquiries, please contact the FLA press office on 020 7420 9656.

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