Factor-Sales data has been used to review the value/unit trends that measure key product categories in the UK aftermarket. The tables below are based on sales transactions and credit notes collected daily from over 800 motor factor sites.
Factor-Sales’ Ian Penny commented: “Interesting patterns developing as we see that the aftermarket has had a strong year, even allowing for the fact that COVID-19 had such an impact on sales in the first half of 2020. Noticeably, of course, the increase in value far outweighs the increase in unit sales across all product categories. Rising costs, that are affecting so many areas in production and transport, have spiralled so dramatically and seen inflation rising to a 20-year high. Not reaching the levels of the early 90s yet but expect further increases as we move into 2022.
“The latest quarter shows a different pattern, as it’s comparing the boost in 2020, as we were allowed out and the MOT ‘period of grace’ ended. This year, we’ve returned to a more normal market without such outside influence.
“Like many people, my car continues to spend more time on the driveway than on the road; in fact, it has asked me whether it’s done anything wrong, as it feels so neglected! Less mileage, less wear and tear and, therefore, less spend for the parts and consumables necessary for running a vehicle now doing fewer than 10,000 miles a year when it was used to an annual 35,000-mile workload. Clearly, that still affects so many people, but on the plus side, the significant decline in new car sales in the last few months might just present an opportunity for us all – long may it continue.
“Hopefully one good outcome for the independent garage and, therefore, the motor factor, is that more drivers will continue to take their cars to their local workshop rather than the main dealer. We know that the leasing of cars is weighted in favour of the dealer with so many plans having a service plan built into the cost, but that’s always been the case and, anyway, is just another challenge that has to be overcome.”
