ARNOLD CLARK AUTOMOBILES LIMITED
Company number: SC036386
Reporting period:
1 January 2026 to 30 June 2026
Report filed on:
30 July 2026
Approved by:
Stuart Thorpe
Contracts and payments
Do any of this business's construction contracts with its suppliers include retention clauses? Yes
Payment statistics
Average time taken to pay invoices: 19 days
Total value paid:
- within 30 days: £3,088,826,188 (87%)
- in 31 to 60 days: £357,623,195 (10%)
- in 61 days or more: £103,001,099 (3%)
Invoices paid:
- within 30 days: 72%
- in 31 to 60 days: 25%
- in 61 days or more: 3%
Late and disputed:
- total value of payments due in the reporting period which have not been paid within the agreed period: £191,309,585
- payments due in the reporting period which have not been paid within the agreed period: 9%
- not made in the reporting period due to a dispute: 10%
Payment terms
Shortest standard payment periods
3 days
Longest standard payment period
180 days
Standard payment terms
Arnold Clark Automobiles Limited agrees appropriate payment terms with its suppliers, based on the nature of the transaction. The Company, as standard, pays its suppliers no later than the last day of the month following the month in which the invoice is received. Individual agreements are in place for manufacturer vehicle purchases, depending on the timing and nature of the transaction and the individual manufacturer’s conditions. These can vary from 3 days from the date of first registration to extended credit terms of up to 180 days.
Were there any changes to the standard payment terms in the reporting period?
No
Were suppliers notified or consulted about these changes before they were made?
N/A
Maximum contractual payment period agreed
180 days
No further comment provided
Any other information about payment terms
No further comment provided
Retention clauses
How does this business use retention clauses?
Retention clauses are used in specific circumstances:
We include retention clauses where we consider works to be at higher risk of defects or where projects are considered to be longer term or higher value
Does this business only use retention clauses in construction contracts above a specific contract sum?
No
Does this business use a standard percentage rate in retention clauses?
No
Does this business apply retention clause practices that are no more onerous than those applied to it on the same project?
Yes:
We are not a contractor so not subject to any clauses
Releasing money under a retention clause
Process for releasing money this business has deducted or retained under a retention clause
We retain a percentage as agreed in the contract terms. 50% of the retention is then released on practical completion of the project. The remaining 50% is released at the later of one year from the practical completion of the project and when all identified defect/snags have been resolved.
Is the money released in stages?
Yes:
50% on practical completion
50% at the later of one year from the practical completion of the project and when all identified defect/snags have been resolved
Amount retained from suppliers in the reporting period
Amount retained stated as a percentage of the money retained from this business by its clients
0%
Amount retained stated as a percentage of the total construction payments made by this business
0%
Dispute resolution process
The Company is committed to dealing with its suppliers in a fair, honest and professional manner as well as pursuing best value for our business. We aim to resolve disputes in a timely manner. Any queries in relation to invoices are initially handled by the supplier’s regular contact at the branch or Head Office. Escalation of disputes is co-ordinated by our Head Office accounts team. If the matter cannot be resolved by our Head Office accounts team, it would be passed to the relevant Head of Department or Manager.
Other payment information
Has this business signed up to a code of conduct or standards on payment practices? If so, which?
For example, signatories to The Fair Payment Code must commit to paying 95% of their invoices within 60 days.
No, this business has not signed up to a code of conduct or standards on payment practices.
Does this business offer e-invoicing in relation to qualifying contracts?
This is where suppliers can electronically submit and track invoices. It's not just allowing suppliers to email them an invoice.
No
Does this business offer supply chain finance?
This is where a supplier who has submitted an invoice can be paid by a third-party finance provider earlier than the agreed payment date. The business would then pay the finance provider the invoiced sum.
No
Under its payment practices and policies, can this business deduct sums from payments under qualifying contracts as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?
No
During the reporting period, did the business deduct sums from payments as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?
No