The BVRLA broker fleet has grown by 13% year-on-year to 345,240 vehicles, with robust leasing deals attracting growing numbers of private customers, the latest BVRLA Leasing Broker Outlook report reveals.

Unveiled at the recent BVRLA Leasing Broker Conference, the October 2026 report highlights a 12% increase in the broker car fleet, while the van fleet has grown by 16%. New car contracts have also risen by 47% in the year to June 2026 compared with the previous 12 months.

Personal contract hire (PCH) has been a major contributor to this growth, with the number of PCH cars on the broker fleet increasing by 22%. Strong competition between vehicle manufacturers and attractive discounts along with uncertainty around future residual values are encouraging more private drivers to consider leasing rather than other forms of vehicle finance. Growth has been boosted further by the eagerness of new brands to use leasing as a positive sales channel for building their market shares.

PCH is growing faster than business contract hire (BCH) among BVRLA brokers. The awareness and popularity of contract hire among business customers is well established, but in the retail market PCH is starting to challenge PCP’s longstanding dominance.

The commercial vehicle market is also providing opportunities for brokers. Higher vehicle prices and finance costs are encouraging businesses to consider leasing when replacing vans, while finance lease agreements have increased by 60% year-on-year. However, demand for electric vans remains limited, despite manufacturers offering increasingly competitive deals. The BVRLA also reports minimal appetite among funders to underwrite the residual values of these battery-powered vehicles.

Van finance leasing is growing at the expense of BCH. Shifting residual value risk to the fleet allows brokers to optimise balloon payments and lower monthly rentals. It also protects high-use businesses, such as couriers and builders, from end-of-contract damage charges. While BCH still dominates the broker fleet two-to-one, the trend highlights the vital role brokers play in finding the right finance solution.

Looking ahead, the report highlights how changing customer behaviour is reshaping the broker market. Price and value for money are becoming increasingly influential, particularly among private customers, while digital platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) are changing how drivers search for vehicles and compare offers.

The outlook also identifies growing pressures on brokers, including rising staffing and compliance costs and the investment needed in technology to remain competitive. Larger businesses are benefiting from greater purchasing power and the ability to spread these costs across higher volumes, prompting expectations of further consolidation within the sector.

Elsewhere, the report reveals changing trends for maintenance penetration among new BCH and PCH agreements, along with changes for contract terms due to “cut-throat” competition for market share by OEMs. Used vehicle leasing volumes are also growing, while AI is starting to make its presence felt in the broker sector.

The report, which is online here, also includes insights from senior industry figures on the opportunities and challenges facing leasing brokers.