Pre-close trading statement

Inchcape PLC
13 December 2005

13 December 2005

                      Inchcape pre-close trading statement

Inchcape plc, the international automotive services group, will enter a close
period on 5 January 2006 ahead of its preliminary results announcement, for the
year ending 31 December 2005, on 6 March 2006.

Since our last update, issued on 1 August 2005, trading conditions overall have
been in line with expectations. Profit before tax and exceptional items are
anticipated to be around the current market consensus of £188.5m*, which is
itself 11.9% above the equivalent figure for 2004.

In Australia the market is heading for a record year, and our performance has
been strong as previously predicted.

In Belgium, our performance is in line with our expectations.

In Greece, the market remains extremely competitive.

In Hong Kong, profitability is anticipated to be in line with our forecasts.

In Singapore our trading performance is strong, having benefitted from better
than expected market conditions.

Overall the UK is trading in line with expectations, despite a challenging
market.

*Source: Reuters Estimates prepared in accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standards


Notes to editors

For further information, please contact:

Group Communications, Inchcape plc
020 7546 0022

Hogarth Partnership Limited (John Olsen/Barnaby Fry)
020 7357 9477

Inchcape, an international automotive services group, provides quality
representation for its manufacturer partners, a choice of channels to market and
products for its retail customers and a range of business services for its
corporate customers. Operations are focused on Australia, Belgium, Greece, Hong
Kong, Singapore and the UK. Inchcape's activities include exclusive Import,
Distribution and Retail, Business Services, automotive E-commerce and Financial
Services. Our key manufacturer partners are Toyota/Lexus, Subaru, BMW, the
Premier Automotive Group of Ford, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen.

For further information, visit us at www.inchcape.com




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange