Consumer car finance new business volumes fell by 6% in November 2022

New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that consumer car finance new business volumes fell in November 2022 by 6% compared with the same month in 2021. The corresponding value of new business decreased by 5% over the same period. In the eleven months to November 2022, new business volumes were 3% higher than in the same period in 2021.

The consumer new car finance market reported a fall in new business of 3% by value and 9% by volume in November compared with the same month in 2021. In the eleven months to November 2022, new business volumes in this market remained 6% lower than in the same period in 2021.

The consumer used car finance market reported a fall in new business of 6% by value and 5% by volume in November compared with the same month in 2021. In the eleven months to November 2022, new business volumes in this market were 8% 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 has reported lower new business volumes throughout much of the second half of 2022 as supply shortages continued to weigh on its recovery.  For the first time in more than a year the consumer used car finance market reported a fall in both the value and volume of new business.

“Overall, the consumer car finance market is on track to report new business by value 6% higher in 2022 than the 2019 level, while new business volumes in 2022 are expected to remain 11% lower than pre-pandemic.

“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

Nov 2022

%

 change on prev. year

3
months to Nov 2022

% change on prev. year

12 months to Nov 2022

% change on prev. year

New cars

Value of advances (£m)

1,346

-3

4,800

-1

17,388

0

Number of cars

52,185

-9

188,265

-8

693,307

-5

Used cars

Value of advances (£m)

1,694

-6

5,547

2

23,448

19

Number of cars

113,194

-5

364,943

0

1,526,821

7

Total cars

Value of advances (£m)

3,040

-5

10,347

1

40,836

10

Number of cars

165,379

-6

553,208

-3

2,220,128

3

 

 

Table 2: Cars bought on finance by businesses
New business

Nov 2022

%

 change on prev.

year

3

months to Nov

2022

% change on prev. year

12 months to Nov 2022

% change on prev. year

New cars          
Number of cars

26,860

19

77,727

5

272,927

-10

Used cars
Number of cars

4,585

2

18,046

33

82,365

67