Retail trade of motor vehicle parts and accessories

SIC 45320Section G: Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles|Data verified: 2026-04-17
7,883Active Companies
Section G: Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles
Division 45
SIC 45320

What is SIC Code 45320?

SIC code 45320 classifies businesses engaged in retail trade of motor vehicle parts and accessories. There are 7,883 active companies registered under this code in the UK, forming a substantial sector within the national economy. It falls under Section G (Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles) of the UK SIC 2007 classification system, which is used by Companies House to categorise all registered businesses.

See the full industry analysis on the Retail trade of motor vehicle parts and accessories industry page.

7,883
Active
27
Dissolved
9,090
Total
7.9y
Avg Age

Sector Analysis

With a 87% survival rate, this sector shows strong business longevity. Only 27 of 9,090 companies registered under this code have dissolved, well below the UK average. Companies in this sector average 7.9 years old, reflecting a balanced mix of established businesses and newer market participants. Growth has been exceptional recently: 59% of all active companies were formed since 2020, marking this as one of the fastest-expanding classifications. The 2010s contributed another 27%, meaning the vast majority of businesses are relatively new. Companies are geographically dispersed across the UK, with no single location dominating. The top three locations — LONDON, BIRMINGHAM, MANCHESTER — together account for just 15% of the sector.

Formation by Decade
9%
27%
59%
Pre-1990: 234
1990s: 171
2000s: 727
2010s: 2,136
2020s: 4,615

Frequently Asked Questions about SIC 45320

What does SIC code 45320 mean?

SIC code 45320 stands for "Retail trade of motor vehicle parts and accessories" under the UK Standard Industrial Classification (SIC 2007) system. It belongs to Section G — Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles. Companies use this code when registering with Companies House to indicate their primary business activity. The code is required for annual confirmation statements and is used by HMRC, ONS, and other government bodies for statistical and regulatory purposes.

How many UK companies use SIC code 45320?

There are currently 7,883 active companies registered under SIC code 45320 in the UK, out of 9,090 total registrations. This gives a survival rate of 87%, meaning 13% of companies registered under this code have since dissolved. These figures are based on Companies House data and updated regularly.

Where are most SIC 45320 companies located in the UK?

The top locations for retail trade of motor vehicle parts and accessories companies (SIC 45320) are: LONDON (817), BIRMINGHAM (233), MANCHESTER (158), BRADFORD (121), GLASGOW (97). Geographic concentration can reflect local economic conditions, industry clusters, or proximity to key markets and supply chains.

Is the retail trade of motor vehicle parts and accessories sector growing or declining in the UK?

The sector is growing: 59% of currently active SIC 45320 companies were formed since 2020, and 27% during the 2010s. This sustained formation rate indicates ongoing demand for retail trade of motor vehicle parts and accessories services in the UK.

What is the typical company profile for SIC code 45320?

Companies classified under SIC 45320 have an average age of 7.9 years. This suggests a balanced sector with both established players and newer entrants. Notable companies include HALFORDS LIMITED, GSF CAR PARTS LIMITED, LKQ GROUP (UK) LIMITED.

What SIC codes are similar to 45320?

Related SIC codes within the same division include: 45200 (Maintenance and repair of motor vehicles), 45112 (Sale of used cars and light motor vehicles), 45310 (Wholesale trade of motor vehicle parts and accessories), 45111 (Sale of new cars and light motor vehicles). Companies may use multiple SIC codes if they operate across several of these related activities. When registering with Companies House, businesses should select the code that best represents their primary activity.

How do I find companies registered under SIC code 45320?

You can search for companies with SIC code 45320 (Retail trade of motor vehicle parts and accessories) using UVAGATRON's company explorer, which allows filtering by SIC code, location, and company status. Alternatively, Companies House offers a basic search on their website. Our platform adds risk intelligence, director networks, and signals from 50+ government databases to each company record.

Explore Companies Under SIC 45320

Search, filter, and analyse 7,883 companies classified under this SIC code with AI-powered risk intelligence.

Data sourced from Companies House, HM Land Registry, FCA Register, and 50+ government databases. SIC classification follows the UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities 2007 (SIC 2007). Last updated: 2026-04-17.