Zopa Bank’s 2025 UK car dealerships survey has revealed dealer business priorities and the industry’s key challenges.
The survey found transparent pricing (19%), personalised experiences (18%), and robust after-sales support (17%), are dealer priorities as competition intensifies.
Tim Waterman, chief commercial officer at Zopa Bank, said: “Zopa’s 2025 UK car dealership survey captures a need to meet customers where they are – online, offline and in between.
“In today’s rapidly changing industry, customers are highly price-conscious, often comparing financing options online and on the forecourt in real-time.”
Dealer concerns for 2025 include keeping up with technological advancements (18%), attracting and retaining customers (18%), and building a strong digital presence (17%).
The survey revealed 62% of car purchases involve a mix of online and in-person channels, with personal loans (35%) predicted to dominate financing methods.
The survey also revealed top complaints about UK lenders which included slow credit decisions (38%), complex onboarding process (37%), and delayed payouts (34%).
In addition, demand for financing payouts is 56% higher at weekends compared to weekdays.
Waterman said: “For dealers, securing sales can come down to which lender can respond with transparent pricing, fast decision-making, and seamless payouts—even on weekends.
“It’s essential for dealerships to partner with finance providers that can deliver an effortless and efficient experience to their customers.”
In spite of these challenges, 80% of car salespeople remain optimistic about their dealership’s performance in 2025 and their main business goals are improving sustainable practices (32%), enhancing customer experience (31%), and expanding vehicle inventories (28%).
