Sale of new cars and light motor vehicles Companies in the UK

SIC 45111Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles|211.2% formed since 2020|Data updated 7 Jun 2026
4,453
Active

There are 4,453 active companies in the sale of new cars and light motor vehicles sector in the UK (SIC code 45111). This sector falls under Section G — Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles — of the UK Standard Industrial Classification. The sector has a relatively low 0.5% dissolution rate — 4,453 of 5,156 registrations remain active. The sector is experiencing rapid growth, with 211.2% of active businesses incorporated since 2020 — indicating strong recent demand. 71% of companies were formed after 2010, marking this as a sector with predominantly recent entrants. The average company in this sector is 18.8 years old, suggesting established and stable operators. 416 large companies, 66 medium-sized firms operate in this sector. London leads with 14% of companies in this sector. Companies in this sector hold 661 government contracts valued at £238.0M. The sector's longest-standing company was incorporated in 1896.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, June 2026

4,453
Active Companies
G
SIC Section
1896
Oldest Company
211.2%
Growth (2020s)
18.8 yr
Avg Company Age

A rapidly growing sector with 211.2% of active companies formed since 2020.

Incorporation by Decade
17%
15%
20%
42%
Pre-1990: 874
1990s: 363
2000s: 754
2010s: 1,017
2020s: 2,148

Data Signals

Financial
17,84210 src
Governance
15,3965 src
Compliance
8,23112 src
Risk
4,23811 src
ESG
1,2194 src
Trade
1,0912 src
growth
6862 src
operational
2071 src
quality
1003 src
innovation
372 src
corporate_structure
211 src
regulatory
11 src

Sector Overview

The sale of new cars and light motor vehicles sector has a <Link href="/glossary/company-dissolution">0.5% dissolution rate</Link>. The average active company in this sector is 18.8 years old. Geographic concentration: 14% in LONDON.

0.5%
Dissolution rate
18.8 yrs
Avg company age

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 113 (19%)Medium: 66 (11%)Large: 416 (70%)

Government Activity

Companies in the sale of new cars and light motor vehicles sector have been awarded 661 government contracts worth £238.0M in total.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sale of new cars and light motor vehicles companies are there in the UK?

There are 4,453 active companies classified under SIC code 45111 (Sale of new cars and light motor vehicles) in the UK, out of 5,156 total registered.

What is SIC code 45111?

SIC code 45111 stands for "Sale of new cars and light motor vehicles". It belongs to Section G — Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles of the UK Standard Industrial Classification.

Where are most sale of new cars and light motor vehicles companies located?

The largest concentrations are in LONDON (624), NOTTINGHAM (80), MANCHESTER (77).

What is the average age of sale of new cars and light motor vehicles companies?

The average active sale of new cars and light motor vehicles company in the UK is 18.8 years old, with the oldest registration dating back to 1896.

What government data is available for sale of new cars and light motor vehicles companies?

Our database contains 49,069 data signals across 12 categories for active sale of new cars and light motor vehicles companies. The largest category is Financial with 17,842 signals from 10 government sources.

Research UK Companies with AI

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Data is updated daily from official UK government sources including Companies House. Information is provided for reference only.