April’s performance across more than 450 UK rooftops tells a story of quiet resilience. At first glance, the month appeared to falter, with a slower start driven by the so-called “calendar effect”, leaving the industry effectively two trading days behind. This early disruption translated into a temporary 10% drop in opportunity, raising concerns about how the month might unfold.
Yet, as the weeks progressed and trading patterns normalised against April 2025, the market regained its footing. By month-end, the industry had not only recovered lost ground but demonstrated an ability to adapt quickly, reinforcing confidence in underlying demand and operational agility.
New car registrations finished April up 3% year on year, sustaining the positive trajectory seen earlier in the year. Encouragingly, the momentum observed around the 20-day mark held firm through to the close, confirming that the early dip was more a quirk of timing than a reflection of weakening demand.
This stability provides a strong platform as the market moves into the summer months. Maintaining that momentum will depend on keeping future pipelines engaged, particularly looking ahead to Q3 and Q4. Consistent customer communication and proactive order management will be key to ensuring this area continues to perform reliably.
The used market told a slightly different story, ending April down 2.6% year on year. While there were signs of recovery mid-month, this softened towards the end, suggesting that demand remains present but is finely balanced against pricing.
Buyers are clearly active, but more cautious. This places increased pressure on pricing strategies and stock management. Dealers that focus on faster stock turn and align their digital forecourts with current buyer preferences are likely to remain competitive. In this environment, agility is essential, with success driven by closely matching supply to what customers are actively searching for.
The workshop sector delivered one of the most notable recoveries of the month. After starting April with a significant shortfall, hours sold recovered to finish just 0.5% behind last year’s levels. This near-complete turnaround highlights the underlying strength in aftersales demand.
Although the seasonal surge linked to MOT activity has now passed, utilisation levels remain healthy. Sustaining this performance will rely on maintaining a steady flow of work, particularly by converting opportunities that may otherwise slip through the net. Targeting “Amber” Vehicle Health Check leads can help bridge any gaps, supporting both workshop efficiency and overall absorption.
Parts sales emerged as the clear standout, finishing the month up 5.1% year on year. This growth was largely driven by strong trade demand, underlining the importance of wholesale activity as a consistent revenue stream.
There is an opportunity to build on this success by continuing to introduce targeted trade offers, particularly around seasonal maintenance kits. With retail demand steady, a well-balanced approach that supports both trade and retail channels will help sustain this upward trend.
April ultimately highlighted the sector’s ability to absorb short-term disruption and recover with pace. What began as a challenging month evolved into a demonstration of resilience across new car sales, aftersales performance and parts demand.
While used vehicles showed signs of increased price sensitivity, the broader picture remains one of a market that is active, adaptable and steady. As the industry moves into the coming months, the focus will be on maintaining this rhythm, balancing demand with the right supply strategies, and continuing to respond to the subtle shifts in customer behaviour that define today’s automotive landscape.
We'd d be interested to hear your thoughts on how April is going for you, reach out at: liz.purcell@realworldanalytics.com
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