Consumer car finance new business fell by 2% in August

New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that consumer car finance new business volumes fell in August 2024 by 2% compared with the same month in 2023.

The corresponding value of new business fell by 1% over the same period. In the eight months to August 2024, new business was 2% lower by both value and volume compared with the same period in 2023.

The consumer new car finance market reported new business by value in August 13% higher than in the same month in 2023, while new business volumes grew by 7%. In the eight months to August 2024, new business volumes in this market were 6% lower than in the same period in 2023.

The consumer used car finance market reported a fall in the value of new business in August of 7% compared with the same month in 2023, while new business volumes fell by 4%. In the eight months to August 2024, new business volumes in this market were 1% lower than in the same period in 2023.

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

“August saw the consumer new car finance market report only its second month of growth in new business volumes since the beginning of this year. Overall, the point-of-sale consumer car finance market has seen a modest contraction in new business by both value and volume so far in 2024.

“The FLA’s Q3 2024 Industry Outlook Survey suggested that motor finance providers are cautiously optimistic of an improvement in economic conditions, with three-quarters expecting some increase in new business over the next twelve months.”

Table 1: Cars bought on finance by consumers through the point of sale
New business	Aug 2024	% change on prev. year	3 months to Aug 2024	% change on prev. year	12 months to Aug 2024	% change on prev. year
New cars
Value of advances (£m)	977	13	3,911	2	17,058	2
Number of cars	35,386	7	139,156	-5	618,524	-5
Used cars
Value of advances (£m)	1,789	-7	5,340	-7	21,391	-5
Number of cars	121,782	-4	361,213	-4	1,446,861	-3
Total cars
Value of advances (£m)	2,766	-1	9,250	-3	38,450	-2
Number of cars	157,168	-2	500,369	-4	2,065,385	-3

Table 2: Cars bought on finance by businesses
New business	Aug 2024	% change on prev. year	3 months to Aug 2024	% change on prev. year	12 months to Aug 2024	% change on prev. year
New cars
Number of cars	21,037	-30	76,449	-20	362,294	6
Used cars
Number of cars	3,727	-26	17,186	0	61,201	-3