• Despite lockdowns used car supermarket group still sold 22,000 cars
• Boss Peter Waddell confident post lockdown could see group sell 30,000 units a year
• 2020 turnover of £295m saw group earn £11m EBITDA profit

Used car supermarket group Big Motoring World has battled lockdowns and tough tier restrictions to post an impressive set of results for 2020.

The group – which operates dealerships in Enfield, Bluebell Hill and West Malling – turned over £295m and recorded EBITDA earnings for the year of £11m, its preliminary results show.

Despite the upheavals experienced by the motor trade during 2020, the dealership group managed to sell 1,500 more used cars than the year before with 22,000 sold. In 2019 the group sold 20,404 used cars. 

Chief executive officer Peter Waddell said: ‘In Q2 we were the first out there, operating click and collect, but in the face of limited customer interaction, it hampered sales and opportunities to sell value added products. 

‘Despite this we recorded an excellent result for the year and I am so grateful for the support of my colleagues and all of our employees, and to those business partners who found ways to help us through a very challenging times.’

Big Motoring World opened its smart new 900-car site at Enfield during the year and that has already helped the group increase sales.

Peter added: ‘The new 900-car site at Enfield which opened at the start of the year has matured rapidly to deliver well above expectations. The Peterborough preparation centre which opened in mid-2019 has scaled up quickly to service the requirements of Big Motoring World too.’

As if 2020 wasn’t already demanding enough, Waddell also launched sister business Carzam, which offers online-only used car sales.

Their website recorded 1,000 sales in its first six weeks of operation and is already on course to sell 20,000 cars in its first year.

Peter added: ‘When we are beyond the Covid-19 restrictions, and the vaccine is rolled out, I am very optimistic about the prospects for bumper trading. 

‘This business is capable of delivering closer to 30,000 units and £20m EBITDA, and we’re ready to make that a reality.’