UAN: independent automotive aftermarket worth £2.5 billion

According to detailed research undertaken by United Aftermarket Network (UAN), annual UK automotive aftermarket distributor turnover is now estimated to be worth £2.5 billion. The research shows that three companies (Euro Car Parts, Andrew Page and Motor Parts Direct) collectively share around 27 per cent of the total market. In terms of buying groups, three companies including UAN account for over 40 per cent of the total market.

For its part, in order to maintain competitiveness, UAN firmly believes that the major buying groups, including Group Auto, Parts Alliance, UAN and the IFA need to extend their buying power into Europe. The companies recognise that even with double digit market share, in the long term purchasing power will be determined by the larger European players. This is also something that Euro Car Parts did in recent years with the purchase of Sator from H2 Equity Partners, which is also the owner of Unipart Automotive.

Commenting on the research UAN’s Rachael Dickinson said: “Our research reflects the rapidly changing face of the UK automotive aftermarket which has accelerated and grown in the past decade. UAN will be in the forefront of the changes necessary to grow our business and deliver prosperity for suppliers and distributors alike.”