Dealers Win by Offering Finance
06 July 2026 by Curtis Hutchinson
Car buyers value being offered finance and reward dealers who do so, finds JudgeService
Car buyers visiting showrooms expect dealers to offer them finance and reward those who do with positive net promote scores (NPS), according to research by JudgeService.
The study, based on analysis of 1.7 million customer responses to JudgeService’s ProAct lost sales surveys from 2022-2026, found the majority (64%) of customers visiting showrooms are being offered finance.
This rate has remained consistent since 2023 having reached a post-Covid high of 67% in 2022.
The unprompted offer of finance continues to have a positive impact on NPS, with dealers currently achieving scores of 46%, up from 41% in 2024.
Neil Addley, managing director of JudgeService, said: “The data suggest the furore following the Financial Conduct Authority’s investigation into alleged historical mis-selling practices, and the subsequent delayed redress scheme, are not turning off customers.
“Car buyers expect and appreciate being offered finance packages when visiting showrooms and that’s reflected by promoter scores being higher when an offer is on the table, even if they don’t make a purchase.
“Dealers have remained resolute by proactively offering finance throughout what has been a challenging period. Now, with customers benefitting from greater regulatory transparency, dealers are ideally placed to open more conversations with greater confidence knowing compliancy is stricter and consumer appetite to buy finance from them remains strong.”
While dealers have increased the rate at which they offer finance to car buyers in the showroom, the research identified reduced offers of finance to customers making phone enquiries (49%) and online enquiries (47%), as well as those receiving calls from dealers (46%).
“Our research shows dealers are doing a decent job when it comes introducing finance packages to customers. The data even identifies further opportunities to build on this by ensuring finance is consistently offered to all customers, not just those in the showroom.”
Further details and comments available from Neil Addley on 07795 665927 or neil@judgeservice.com.
About JudgeService
Launched in 2011 by Neil Addley, JudgeService is the UK’s only customer review platform developed exclusively for the car retailing sector. By ensuring all reviews are verified and genuine, JudgeService builds a solid foundation of trust and respect between customers and sellers enabling car retailers to actively manage their online reputations.
JudgeService shares granular insight reports with dealers to help them identify opportunities to improve customer satisfaction levels, with many achieving 100% recommendation scores.
Based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, JudgeService has published over 1 million customer reviews and is used by over 2,000 franchised, independent and car supermarket sites across the UK.
Issued by Curtis Hutchinson Communications
