Brokers perfectly positioned for 2026 challenges says Central Contracts

SIGNIFICANT opportunities are presenting themselves for brokers heading into 2026, says independent contract hire and leasing broker Central Contracts, which trades as leasecar.uk.

Stoke-based Central was named Arval’s Broker of the Year in December.

Reflecting on the year ahead, Gareth Roberts, Strategy Director at Central Contracts, said: “We are optimistic for 2026. The sector is in a strong position. Any concerns about destabilisation and the impact on residual values or leasing rentals are offset by the need for OEMs to sell cars, especially new entrants from China.”

With operational budgets remaining tight due to escalating costs and uncertainty in used electric vehicle residual values, significant pressure will mount on industry profitability, leading to adjustments to new vehicle lease rates to manage potential losses, such as providing longer-term contract hire with maintenance to clients that offer stability to both businesses and consumers.

New entrants focus on brokers

Chinese manufacturers and new market entrants will undoubtedly continue to offer significant discounts to the market, says Central. New entrants have identified brokers as the perfect channel to market cars and get vehicles to customers more quickly, in turn boosting broker appeal and sustaining broker growth.

Consumer brand loyalty is also diminishing, being replaced by searches for attractive, high-value car lease packages.

And while facing short-term hurdles, the long-term trend toward EV adoption is accelerating, driven by government mandates (such as the ZEV mandate) and by the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for EVs converging with that of diesel vehicles in specific segments (urban, last-mile).

“I am quietly positive about the outlook for brokers in 2026. Uncertainty within the automotive industry, coupled with new brands entering the market, alongside the changing buying behaviours of consumers who are leaning more towards the hassle-free online acquisition, means brokers are perfectly positioned to capitalise on this demand-side market.”

Gareth Roberts, Strategy Director, Central Contracts Tweet

In 2025, Central Contracts focused on building stronger relationships with OEMs and investing in a new digital platform. It says that the adoption of technology, such as AI, is expected to deliver significant operational efficiencies and cost savings for brokers, putting them in a better position than ever for 2026.

Photo by Patrick Langwallner on Unsplash