Insights from the FLA Annual Motor Finance Convention 2025

Recently, our Commercial Director, Grant West, attended the Annual Motor Finance Convention, hosted by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA). It proved to be a rich and valuable day, full of timely discussion, networking and fresh perspectives, all reinforcing why VAS’s presence in the motor-finance and asset-audit ecosystem remains so vital.

Why the event was relevant for VAS

VAS is a leading provider of outsourced vehicle and asset audits, offering services such as wholesale unit stocking audits, sub-hire audits, asset inspections and dealer & broker oversight audits across the UK and Europe, supported by our SMART risk platform and our new AI-powered Oversight Portal. We work with funders to protect loan books, safeguard assets and mitigate risk.

Given our core activities, attending the FLA Convention was a no-brainer. The motor finance sector is deeply intertwined with asset management, risk control, regulatory pressures, the shift to electric vehicles, data and technology - all areas which directly impact VAS’s value proposition.

By being present, we could see first-hand how the broader market is evolving, meet with colleagues old and new and strengthen our understanding of the shifting landscape, allowing us to refine our audit and oversight services accordingly.

Key takeaways for VAS

• Preparation for the FCA Redress Scheme for motor finance customers remains top of the agenda within the sector. While the industry is responding to the initial proposal the one thing that is very clear is that a redress scheme *will* be coming down the line. Preparations will include customer communications and redress calculations and funders must look to the future as part of this prep. Focus on governance and oversight will be critical – and can be helped by VAS’s new Oversight Portal for dealers and brokers. Get in touch to find out more.
• The motor-finance and asset-finance environment is undergoing significant transition and key topics included the state of the economy and the state of the market. Coupled with ongoing developments in technology, as well as regulatory change, motor finance providers and suppliers must take steps to future-proof the sector.
• Electric Vehicles (EVs) remain a hot topic, with significant impact for the industry. With questions around supply of new and sale of used EVs and uncertainty around resale price, charging infrastructure, battery life and range, these vehicles must nevertheless be funded and stocked – as well as audited and inspected.

To summarise

In short: it was a great day. The FLA Motor Finance Convention delivered high-quality content, timely industry insight and relevant connections. For VAS, the participation underscores our commitment to staying at the forefront of risk, audit and oversight in the motor and broader asset-finance markets. Grant left the event with renewed energy, fresh contacts and invaluable sector intelligence.

We look forward to leveraging these insights to continue enhancing VAS’s services, helping funders, lenders and other stakeholders safeguard their assets and mitigate risk in an ever-changing landscape.

A big thank you to the FLA for organising and putting on the event.