British Motor Industry Heritage Trust
Analysis
British Motor Industry Heritage Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Warwick. It was registered in May 1983, 43 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 01690117). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space.
In the financial year ending December 2025, British Motor Industry Heritage Trust reported income of £5.7m and spending of £6.6m, spending 116% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £3.2m to £5.7m (+79%), an average of +16% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2023, when income rose by 43%. Over the whole period it spent 112% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, British Motor Industry Heritage Trust sits at the 99th percentile: it is larger than about 99% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 98th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Opera Holland Park (£5.7m), Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Management Limited (£5.7m) and The Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (£5.7m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from trading 54%, donations and legacies 23% and charitable activities 17%. Charitable activities took 54% of spending and raising funds 44%. Reserves of £3.0m would cover about 5 months of spending at that rate. It employed 133 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 23%
- Charitable activities 17%
- Trading 54%
- Investments 0.4%
- Other 4.3%
In the charity's own words
To establish and maintain for the benefit of the nation a motor vehicle museum and promote the preservation of motor vehicles, archives and artefacts relating to the British Motor Industry with historic, scientific or educative value.To exhibit and allow public access to such vehicles, archives and artefacts by means of exhibitions and demonstrate operation of any such vehicles or artefacts.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Opera Holland Park | London | £5.7m |
| Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Management Limited | Guildford | £5.7m |
| The Paddle Steamer Preservation Society | Westcliff-on-Sea | £5.7m |
| Royal Television Society | London | £5.7m |