Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements:   

(1) Registration Statement (Form S-3 ASR No. 333-228176) of Group 1 Automotive, Inc.,

(2) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-205923) pertaining to the Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan,

(3) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-145034) pertaining to the Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan and the Group 1 Automotive Inc. 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan, and

(4) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-196424) pertaining to the Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan.

of our reports dated February 19, 2019, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and the related notes of Group 1 Automotive, Inc. and subsidiaries and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Group 1 Automotive, Inc. and subsidiaries included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Group 1 Automotive, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2018.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Houston, Texas

February 19, 2019