Consumer used car finance market led the recovery in June

6 August 2020

New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that new business in the consumer used car finance market grew 9% by value and 2% by volume in June 2020 compared with the same month in 2019.  In the first half of 2020, this market reported new business volumes 32% lower than in the same period in 2019.

The consumer new car finance market reported a fall in new business of 16% by value and 21% by volume in June 2020 compared with the same month in 2019. In the first half of 2020, new business volumes in this market fell by 42% compared with the same period in 2019. The percentage of private new car sales financed by FLA members held steady in the twelve months to June 2020 at 94.3%.

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

“The consumer used car finance market led the recovery in June as showrooms began to re-open.  Monthly new business volumes in this market were back to normal levels following the record low reported in April. The consumer new car finance market has taken a little longer to bounce back, but new car registrations figures suggest the market returned to growth in July.

“While the latest FLA figures are encouraging, the economic outlook remains highly uncertain.  The motor finance market is faced with a prolonged period of significant demand for forbearance.  To meet this and the pent-up demand for new credit, we continue to urge the Government and Bank of England to ensure that all lenders, including non-banks, have access to financial support schemes.”

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

New business

Jun 2020

% change on prev. year

3 months to Jun 2020

% change on prev. year

12 months to Jun 2020

% change on prev. year

New cars

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value of advances (£m)

1,397

-16

1,695

-65

15,543

-20

Number of cars

62,912

-21

76,253

-67

721,134

-24

Used cars

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value of advances (£m)

1,604

9

2,171

-53

15,637

-13

Number of cars

121,935

2

167,801

-56

1,243,777

-15

Total cars

           

Value of advances (£m)

3,001

-4

3,866

-59

31,180

-16

Number of cars

184,847

-7

244,054

-60

1,964,911

-18

 

Table 2: Cars bought on finance by businesses

New business

Jun 2020

% change on prev. year

3 months to Jun 2020

% change on prev. year

12 months to Jun 2020

% change on prev. year

New cars

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of cars

13,195

-67

31,536

-76

308,631

-30

Used cars

           

Number of cars

3,555

-41

14,740

5

54,655

-6

 Note to editors: 

  1. Consumer motor finance reported in these figures refers to finance obtained through the point of sale.
  2. In 2019, FLA members provided £140 billion of new finance to UK businesses and households. £105 billion of this was in the form of consumer credit, over a third of total new consumer credit written in the UK in 2019. £48 billion of it supported the purchase of new and used cars, including over 91% of private new car registrations.
  3. For media enquiries, please contact the FLA press office on 020 7420 9656.

 

 

 

 

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