Loan Covenants Compliance

Starting in 2020, automotive dealerships experienced record-breaking profits and strong financial metrics. There was minimal concern about meeting obligations such as debt service and interest rates were much lower. However, those prosperous conditions proved temporary. By 2025, the market has shifted: rising interest rates, evolving consumer demand, manufacturer preference and inventory fluctuations have made covenant compliance more challenging than prior years. Dealerships cannot rely on past performance alone to maintain lender confidence.

Loan covenants are conditions established by lenders that dealerships must meet to maintain access to financing. These agreements apply across various forms of debt common in the industry, including real estate loans, working-capital lines, traditional term loans, and some floorplan credit facilities may include covenants depending on the lender and dealership risk profile. With lenders increasingly focused on risk management, monitoring and maintaining compliance has become a crucial part of financial stability in the industry.

Covenants generally fall into three broad categories: qualitative, financial, and operational (or nonfinancial). Qualitative covenants specify the information dealerships must regularly provide to lenders, such as GAAP-compliant financial statements, monthly dealer reports, and federal and state tax filings. They may also restrict certain actions, including asset sales, taking on additional debt, or adjusting partner distributions, and may require minimum insurance coverage. Financial covenants require dealerships to maintain balance-sheet strength and income-statement performance, with common benchmarks including minimum working capital, leverage or debt-to-equity ratios, debt service coverage ratios, and interest coverage metrics. Operational covenants focus on business continuity and management structure, such as maintaining manufacturer approvals or key leadership positions.

Compliance with these covenants is critical. Dealerships rely heavily on floorplan financing and strong banking relationships to manage large inventories and operational needs. Covenants help ensure disciplined financial management, preserve access to credit, and maintain favorable lending terms. In a market where inventory levels are rising and margins are returning to pre-pandemic norms, consistent compliance demonstrates credibility and positions dealerships for lender support rather than scrutiny.

Conversely, breaches can carry serious consequences. Lenders may impose default interest rates, restrict capital access, demand enhanced reporting, or, in extreme cases, call loans due. Even technical breaches can damage reputation and strain banking relationships crucial for daily operations. For dealerships with capital-intensive and cyclical business models, maintaining covenant compliance isn’t just about avoiding penalties—it is about protecting financial flexibility, sustaining partnerships, and ensuring long-term operational resilience.

In today’s market, covenant compliance and working proactively with your lender is a financial necessity. Prior to year end, dealerships need to be reading their loan documents, monitor covenant performance, communicate openly with lenders, and address potential issues early. This will allow them to be better positioned to access capital, maintain strong lender relationships, and navigate industry volatility. By prioritizing compliance, dealerships safeguard their financial future and strengthen their ability to compete in an evolving automotive landscape.

‍

‍