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Motor Vehicle Parts Wholesaling in the UK - Market Research Report (2013-2028)

Jacob Lang Jacob Lang London, United Kingdom Last Updated: November 2023 SIC G45.310

Revenue

£19.6bn

2023-24

£19.6bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

£XXX.Xm

Employees

66,430

Businesses

4,085

Wages

£X.Xbn

Motor Vehicle Parts Wholesaling in the UK industry analysis

The Motor Vehicle Parts Retailers industry's performance has been restricted recently. For several years, falling new car sales and declining car production hit demand for premium parts, squeezing revenue growth.  The total number of vehicles on UK roads is rising, sustaining demand. The cost-of-living crisis means customers are shunning new car sales for used cars, raising the average age of the UK fleet. Production volumes are rising strongly in 2023, but multiple years of low output have reduced parts sold for car assembly. That’s why revenue is projected to remain fairly stable, growing at a compound annual rate of 0.1% to £19.6 billion over the five years through 2023-24, despite an expected hike of 6.5% in 2023-24.

Trends and Insights

  • Car production numbers plummet. A lack of investment in the UK automotive market is limiting production, cutting demand for motor vehicle parts.
  • Tyre sales roll on.This is thanks to rising sales of used cars. The essential nature of tyres sustains demand for motor vehicle parts wholesalers.
  • High car ownership benefits wholesalers in the South. Car ownership levels are steep in the South East and South West of the UK, so there’s a solid demand for motor vehicle parts.
  • The industry is highly fragmented. Market share concentration is low because of the high number of companies in the industry. Most wholesalers operate on a small scale, with a single branch or warehouse.

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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £19.6bn in 2023.

Trends and Insights

Rebounding car production lifts sales

  • Low investment and semiconductor shortages hit UK car production during the COVID-19 pandemic. Supply chain disruptions led to car manufacturers (like BMW and Jaguar Land Rover) sourcing more car parts domestically, elevating demand for wholesalers.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Motor Vehicle Parts Wholesaling in the UK
Revenue (2013-2028)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

The expanding UK car fleet will drive sales of parts

  • New car sales are set to swell in line with rising disposable income, aiding demand from retailers. New cars require fewer replacement parts, but a rising number of cars on UK roads can still drive up demand for car parts.

Biggest companies in the Motor Vehicle Parts Wholesaling in the UK

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue (£m)
2024
LKQ Group (UK) Ltd
975.7
Denso International Europe
705.6
Aptiv Services UK Ltd
254.8

To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Motor Vehicle Parts Wholesaling in the UK
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Engines, Tyres and Batteries. Engines is the largest segment of the Motor Vehicle Parts Wholesaling in the UK.

Trends and Insights

Recovering car production lifts demand for gearboxes and steering wheels

  • Gearboxes, steering wheels and their components are the most traded car parts in the market. This segment includes drive axles with differentials, non-driving axles, airbags, seatbelts, bumpers, silencers, exhaust pipes, radiators, suspension systems and clutches.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Companies in this industry wholesale a wide variety of motor vehicle parts and accessories, including tyres, spark plugs, engines and batteries. Retail sales direct to the public are not included in the industry.

What's included in this industry?

EnginesTiresBatteriesElectrical and electronic componentsBody partsBrakes and brake partsGearboxes, steering wheels and related partsOther parts and accessories

Companies

LKQ Group (UK) LtdDenso International EuropeAptiv Services UK Ltd

Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

AFTERMARKETORIGINAL EQUIPMENTWHOLESALE BYPASS

Industry Code

SIC 2007

SIC 45.31 - Motor Vehicle Parts Wholesaling in the UK

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Car production numbers plummet. A lack of investment in the UK automotive market is limiting production, cutting demand for motor vehicle parts.

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
  • Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
  • Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
  • Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Tyre sales roll on.This is thanks to rising sales of used cars. The essential nature of tyres sustains demand for motor vehicle parts wholesalers.

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2023
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2023
  • Major market segmentation in 2023

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

High car ownership benefits wholesalers in the South. Car ownership levels are steep in the South East and South West of the UK, so there’s a solid demand for motor vehicle p...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2023
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2023
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2023
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2023

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

The industry is highly fragmented. Market share concentration is low because of the high number of companies in the industry. Most wholesalers operate on a small scale, with ...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Acquisitions drive Euro Car Parts' growth trajectory. Utilising a bold strategy to purchase other companies and rebrand them, Euro Car Parts has significantly broadened its g...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
  • Overview of LKQ Group (UK) Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
  • Overview of Denso International Europe's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
  • Overview of Aptiv Services UK Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for LKQ Group (UK) Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Denso International Europe, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Aptiv Services UK Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Demand from retailers is the driving force behind growth.Demand from motor vehicle parts retailers is the leading driver of performance. When demand goes up, wholesalers’ rev...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

COVID-19-induced disruption eats into profit. Demand was decimated amid the COVID-19 outbreak, while production disruption led to a spike in input prices at the manufacturing...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2021)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2021)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2021)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2021)
  • Assets (2017-2021)
  • Liabilities (2017-2021)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
  • Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
  • Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
  • Average Wage (2013-2028)
  • Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
  • IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
  • Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
  • Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2013-2028)
  • IVA (2013-2028)
  • Establishments (2013-2028)
  • Enterprises (2013-2028)
  • Employment (2013-2028)
  • Exports (2013-2028)
  • Imports (2013-2028)
  • Wages (2013-2028)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Motor Vehicle Parts Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?

The market size of the Motor Vehicle Parts Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £19.6bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Motor Vehicle Parts Wholesaling in the UK industry in 2023?

There are 4,085 businesses in the Motor Vehicle Parts Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.0 % between 2018 and 2023.

Has the Motor Vehicle Parts Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Motor Vehicle Parts Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 0.1 % between 2018 and 2023.

What is the forecast growth of the Motor Vehicle Parts Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Motor Vehicle Parts Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Motor Vehicle Parts Wholesaling in the UK market in United Kingdom?

The biggest companies operating in the Motor Vehicle Parts Wholesaling market in United Kingdom are LKQ Group (UK) Ltd, Denso International Europe and Aptiv Services UK Ltd

What does the Motor Vehicle Parts Wholesaling in the UK in United Kingdom include?

Engines and Tires are part of the Motor Vehicle Parts Wholesaling in the UK industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Motor Vehicle Parts Wholesaling in the UK in United Kingdom?

The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is LKQ Group (UK) Ltd.

How competitive is the Motor Vehicle Parts Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom?

The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Motor Vehicle Parts Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Motorcycle Sales & Repair in the UK

Complementors

  • Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories Manufacturing in the UK
  • New Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers in the UK
  • Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair in the UK
  • Motor Vehicle Parts Retailers in the UK

International industries

  • Auto Parts Wholesaling in the US
  • Tire Wholesaling in the US
  • Used Car Parts Wholesaling in the US
  • Auto Parts Wholesaling in Canada
  • Motor Vehicle New Parts Wholesaling in Australia

View all industries in United Kingdom

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Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the UK include:

  • Office for National Statistics
  • Office for Budget Responsibility
  • Bank of England

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

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