Finance & Leasing Association14 February 2022
New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that the consumer car finance market reported new business volumes up in December 2021 by 2% compared with the same month in 2020. In 2021 as a whole, new business volumes grew by 9% compared with 2020 to almost 2.1 million cars financed, but remained 14% lower than in 2019.
The consumer new car finance market reported new business up 11% by value and 8% by volume in December compared with the same month in 2020. In 2021 overall, new business volumes in this market were 6% higher than in 2020, but remained 21% lower than in 2019. The percentage of private new car sales financed by FLA members in 2021 was 91.8%, in line with pre-pandemic levels.
The consumer used car finance market reported new business up 15% by value, but fell 2% by volume in December compared with the same month in 2020. In 2021 overall, new business volumes in this market were 10% higher than in 2020, but remained 9% lower than in 2019.
Commenting on the figures, Geraldine Kilkelly, Director of Research and Chief Economist at the FLA, said:
“The consumer car finance market rebounded in 2021, but the pace of recovery was hampered by increased economic uncertainty as new waves and variants of Covid-19 emerged, and the global shortage of semiconductors hit vehicle supply.
“Economic and market conditions will remain challenging this year as many households face a significant squeeze on disposable incomes from higher inflation, interest rates and taxes. However, supply issues are expected to ease and business investment is expected to recover as the year progresses. The FLA’s Q1 2022 industry outlook survey shows that 92% of motor finance providers expect new business growth over the next twelve months.”
| Table 1: Cars bought on finance by consumers through the point of sale |
||||||
| New business |
Dec 2021 |
% change on prev. year |
3 months to Dec 2021 |
% change on prev. year |
12 months to Dec 2021 |
% change on prev. year |
| New cars |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Value of advances (£m) |
1,232 |
11 |
3,899 |
11 |
17,502 |
13 |
| Number of cars |
49,417 |
8 |
160,318 |
6 |
737,053 |
6 |
| Used cars |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Value of advances (£m) |
1,297 |
15 |
4,727 |
22 |
19,220 |
19 |
| Number of cars |
82,831 |
-2 |
308,006 |
5 |
1,361,878 |
10 |
| Total cars |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Value of advances (£m) |
2,528 |
13 |
8,626 |
17 |
36,722 |
16 |
| Number of cars |
132,248 |
2 |
468,324 |
5 |
2,098,931 |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Table 2: Cars bought on finance by businesses |
||||||
| New business |
Dec 2021 |
% change on prev. year |
3 months to Dec 2021 |
% change on prev. year |
12 months to Dec 2021 |
% change on prev. year |
| New cars |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Number of cars |
23,739 |
-6 |
69,583 |
-12 |
301,513 |
14 |
| Used cars |
||||||
| Number of cars |
3,838 |
-7 |
13,301 |
-10 |
48,890 |
-19 |
Note to editors:
- Consumer motor finance reported in these figures refers to finance obtained through the point of sale.
- 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.
- For media enquiries, please contact the FLA press office on 020 7420 9656.
