YORK WARD & ROWLATT LIMITED

What YORK WARD & ROWLATT LIMITED does

York Ward & Rowlatt Limited is a multi-brand automotive retailer operating from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, with a registered office in Kettering and an additional 12,000 square metre fleet operation in Rushden. The company sells new and used vehicles across franchised brands — Vauxhall (since 1958), Peugeot (since 2008), Leapmotor, Fiat, and Abarth — alongside non-franchised used inventory from Audi, BMW, Ford, Tesla, Toyota, and Volkswagen. The business traces its heritage to J York & Son, carriage builders founded in 1841; the current legal entity was registered in 1912 and has been owned by Grosvenor Leasing (part of Hardwater Holdings Limited) since 1987.

The product portfolio centres on vehicle retail supplemented by comprehensive aftersales infrastructure: 15 mechanical bays (including a Masterfit centre opened in 1999, one of the first in the UK), two Class 4 MOT bays, ten valet bays, and an approved accident repair centre covering Vauxhall, Peugeot, and Citroen on a 4.5-acre main site. Digital operations are supported by the NetDirector automotive dealership platform for inventory management, online sales, and CRM, with online reservation (£99 refundable deposit) and click-and-collect purchasing. The company acts as a credit broker (Appointed Representative of Automotive Compliance Ltd, FCA No. 497010), introducing customers to Stellantis Finance, MotoNovo Finance, Blue Motor Finance, and Evolution Finance.

Revenue is generated through four streams: vehicle sales (margin on new and used units plus manufacturer incentives), finance intermediation (commission from lender panels on PCP and HP agreements), aftersales services (labour and parts markup on servicing, MOTs, and repairs), and finance product commissions. The customer base spans individual retail buyers (the primary segment), business fleet operators served via the dedicated Commercial Vehicle Centre opened in 2018, Motability Scheme participants (eligible disability allowance recipients), and electric and hybrid vehicle buyers. The legal entity directly employs approximately 29 staff; the broader Grosvenor Group employs 285 across multiple subsidiaries.

Name

YORK WARD & ROWLATT LIMITED

Legal name

York Ward & Rowlatt Limited

Website

https://yorkwardandrowlatt.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1841

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Multi-brand automotive retailer in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, selling new and used vehicles across Vauxhall, Peugeot, Leapmotor, Fiat, and Abarth franchises with full aftersales, commercial vehicle, and online purchasing operations. Part of Grosvenor Group since 1987 with 180+ years of heritage.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kettering

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Vehicle Sales: Sale of new and used vehicles across multiple franchised brands (Vauxhall, Peugeot, Leapmotor, Fiat, Abarth) and non-franchised vehicles. Revenue generated from vehicle margin and manufacturer incentives.
2. Finance Intermediation: Credit broker introducing customers to finance providers including Stellantis Finance, MotoNovo Finance, Blue Motor Finance, and Evolution Finance. Receives commission from lenders for introductions, typically fixed fees or percentage of amount financed.
3. Aftersales Services: Vehicle servicing, MOT testing, repairs, and parts sales. Revenue from labour and parts markup on maintenance and repair work.
4. Finance Products (PCP/HP): Personal Contract Purchase and Hire Purchase financing offered through panel of lenders, with commission earned on each finance agreement originated.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

York Ward & Rowlatt Limited is a multi-brand franchised motor retailer selling new and used cars, vans and commercial vehicles under brands including Vauxhall, Peugeot, Leapmotor, Fiat and Abarth from a 4.5-acre Wellingborough site. The dealership provides full manufacturer-backed aftersales (servicing, MOT testing, accident repairs and parts), brokers vehicle finance through a panel of lenders, participates in the Motability Scheme, and supports an omnichannel purchase journey via online reservation, part-exchange valuation, click-and-collect and secure checkout.

Product overview

York Ward & Rowlatt is a family-run multi-brand car and commercial vehicle dealership group with over 180 years of heritage (founded 1841), operating from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. The company offers a portfolio of vehicle sales and aftersales services across multiple franchised brands: Vauxhall (core brand since 1958), Peugeot, and the newer Leapmotor electric vehicle franchise. The product portfolio centers on new and used vehicle sales (cars and vans), supplemented by comprehensive aftersales services including servicing, MOT testing, accident repairs, and tyre services. Digital capabilities include online vehicle search and reservation, online service booking, and flexible finance solutions through multiple lending partners. The company serves retail customers, business users, and Motability Scheme participants, with a focus on both traditional combustion vehicles and electric/hybrid alternatives. All aftersales operations are supported by manufacturer-trained technicians and genuine parts, with service plans available for budget-friendly maintenance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• York Ward & Rowlatt Vauxhall: Vauxhall franchise dealership offering new and used Vauxhall vehicles, servicing, and aftersales
• York Ward & Rowlatt Peugeot
• York Ward & Rowlatt Leapmotor
• York Ward & Rowlatt Fiat Aftersales
• York Ward & Rowlatt Abarth Aftersales

Products and services

• New Vauxhall Vehicles Sales of franchised new Vauxhall cars and vans (Corsa, Astra, Mokka, Grandland and Vauxhall commercial vehicles) from the Wellingborough showroom to retail and fleet customers.
• New Peugeot Vehicles Sales of franchised new Peugeot cars and vans (including 208, 3008, 5008 and commercial variants) via the York, Ward & Rowlatt Peugeot dealership under the 2008 franchise acquisition.
• New Leapmotor Electric Vehicles (T03, C10, B10) Sales of franchised new all-electric Leapmotor vehicles — T03 city car, C10 SUV and B10 saloon — for retail customers and Motability scheme participants, with manufacturer warranty and dedicated Leapmotor sales and aftersales support.
• Approved Used Vehicles Pre-owned vehicles from franchised brands (Vauxhall, Peugeot) plus non-franchised makes including Audi, BMW, Ford, Tesla, Toyota and Volkswagen, with multi-point inspection, vehicle history checks and minimum 6–12 month warranty and roadside assistance.
• Used Vans and Commercial Vehicles Pre-owned vans and pick-ups including Approved Used Vauxhall commercial vehicles and stock from Ford and Nissan, inspected by manufacturer-trained technicians with flexible Hire Purchase finance available.
• Motability Scheme Leasing Accredited Motability dealer providing three-year worry-free vehicle leases to eligible customers receiving higher-rate mobility allowances (PIP, DLA, WPMS, AFIP), with all-inclusive package covering insurance, servicing, breakdown cover and maintenance.
• Business and Fleet Commercial Vehicle Sales Dedicated Business Users offering vans, pick-ups and commercial vehicles through the Commercial Vehicle Centre in Rushden, including fleet management support and business finance solutions.
• Aftersales Servicing, MOT and Accident Repair Manufacturer-backed vehicle maintenance including routine servicing, MOT testing, accident repairs and tyre replacement delivered by manufacturer-trained and EV-trained technicians using genuine parts across a 15-bay workshop, 2 MOT bays, Masterfit centre and approved accident repair centre.
• Vehicle Finance Brokerage (PCP / HP) FCA-authorised credit brokerage introducing customers to a panel of lenders (Stellantis Finance, MotoNovo Finance, Blue Motor Finance, Evolution Finance) for Personal Contract Purchase and Hire Purchase agreements, earning commission per finance origination.
• Online Vehicle Reservation and Click-and-Collect Digital retail capability enabling customers to browse inventory, reserve any vehicle with a £99 fully refundable deposit, complete finance applications and arrange click-and-collect purchase via secure online payment.
• Service Plans Flexible maintenance financing packages spreading the cost of routine servicing with 50% discount on collection and delivery services for plan holders (e.g. Peugeot Annual Services 1st £235.00, 2nd £305.00, 3rd £235.00, 4th £412.00; EV-specific tiers from £90.00).
• Fiat and Abarth Authorised Aftersales Authorised service agent offering MOT testing, servicing, repairs and genuine parts for Fiat and Abarth vehicles, delivered by manufacturer-trained technicians at the Wellingborough workshop.

Quantifiable outcome

• Minimum 6 months warranty and 6 months roadside assistance on all used vehicles
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and secondary.

• Peugeot Motor Company plccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2008Appointed Peugeot dealer since 2008 (acquired Eye Bury Trucks Limited trading as Broad Green Peugeot). Sells new and used Peugeot vehicles with full aftersales support.
• Vauxhall Motors LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1958Appointed Vauxhall dealer since 1958, selling new Vauxhall cars and vans, providing aftersales services, and operating under manufacturer brand standards. One of the core franchised partnerships for the dealership.
• LeapmotorcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAppointed Leapmotor dealer bringing innovative electric vehicles to Northamptonshire. Offers new Leapmotor models (C10, T03, B10) and Approved Used vehicles with dedicated sales and aftersales support.
• FiatminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized Fiat service agent providing aftersales services for Fiat vehicles including servicing, MOTs, repairs, and parts.
• AbarthminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAbarth aftersales services including servicing, MOT, and repairs using manufacturer-trained technicians.
• Automotive Compliance LtdcoreTechnology or IntegrationFCA-authorized principal firm enabling York Ward & Rowlatt to act as credit broker and insurance distributor. Provides regulatory compliance framework for finance and insurance activities.
• Grosvenor Group (Hardwater Holdings Limited)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company that acquired the business in 1987. Grosvenor Group is a specialist in Contract Hire and Fleet Management Services with £145 million annual turnover and 285 employees across subsidiaries.
• RAC Motoring ServicescoreOthersProvides complimentary RAC Roadside Assistance with every Vauxhall service (Stellantis vehicles only), offering customers extra protection and peace of mind on the road.
• CitroenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCitroen Approved accident repair centre alongside Vauxhall and Peugeot approvals, providing bodyshop services for Citroen vehicles.
• SpoticarsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCertified pre-owned vehicle programme offering additional reassurance and quality standards for used vehicle purchases.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Inchcape plc: Global automotive distributor and retailer across multiple markets. Comparable as a scaled incumbent in UK franchised automotive retail with broader geographic and brand reach than YWR.
• Group 1 Automotive Inc. US/UK multi-brand franchised dealer group with broad OEM relationships and significant used-car and aftersales operations. Comparable on multi-brand franchise diversification and digital retail investments.
• AutoNation Inc. Largest US automotive retailer with multi-brand franchise model and significant used-car, F&I, and aftersales operations. Comparable as a benchmark for the franchised dealership flywheel, though operating in a different geography and regulatory environment.

Direct peers

• Vertu Motors plc: UK listed multi-franchise automotive retailer with national footprint. Comparable on volume-brand franchise mix (including Stellantis brands), online vehicle sales, and Motability participation.
• Croyland Motors Limited: Sibling multi-franchise dealer under the Grosvenor Group operating in Northamptonshire. Directly comparable as a Stellantis-aligned franchised dealer with overlapping aftersales and used-vehicle operations in the same regional catchment.
• Marshall Motor Group: UK multi-brand franchised dealer group representing volume and premium brands with similar online retail and aftersales propositions. Closest large UK benchmark for YWR's multi-franchise operating model and digital retail maturity.
• Pendragon plc (now Lithia UK): Large UK franchised dealer group recently acquired by Lithia. Closely comparable as a scaled multi-brand UK dealer with Stellantis franchises and substantial used-car and aftersales operations.
• Sytner Group: UK premium and volume franchised retailer owned by parent Constellation Automotive Group. Comparable on premium-brand aftersales excellence and multi-franchise dealership model, though weighted toward luxury/premium brands.
• JCT600: Family-run multi-franchise UK dealer with deep regional presence in Yorkshire and the Midlands. Directly comparable on heritage positioning, multi-brand franchise mix, and aftersales-centric operating model.
• Lookers plc: Major UK multi-franchise dealer group with broad Stellantis, Ford, and premium brand representation. Comparable on multi-brand retail, aftersales, fleet, and online retail capabilities at regional dealer level.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/york-ward-&-rowlatt-limited

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about YORK WARD & ROWLATT LIMITED