UK Automotive Online Car Retailers - PPC Market Share Analysis July 2026

Leveraging Adthena’s Whole Market View, this analysis explores recent trends in Google Ads for the UK Online Car Retailers category from the last month. Our Data Analyst, Ask Arlo provides commentary on key findings.

Online Car Retailers – UK

Google AI Overview visibility for Automotive Online Car Retailers UK

See how often AIOs appear and how search intent is distributed across buying signals.

AIO Frequency

How often a Google AI overview appears on search terms relevant to this category.

Frequency Percentage
Frequency 22.0323659046
77.9676340954
22%

Complex Query Frequency

A complex query is a longer, more detailed search that often contains multiple keywords, specific conditions, or multi-part questions.

Frequency Percentage
Frequency 57
43
56%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 25%
Transactional 44%
Navigational 5%
Seasonal 0%
Local 2%
Problem Solving 3%

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Market Exposure

Share of Clicks for top 10 UK Automotive Online Car Retailers brands

Here are the Top 10 competitors in the industry by Share of Clicks for the last month.

Share of Clicks - Last month
Share of Clicks - Last month
Domain Share of clicks
webuyanycar.com 21.95
carwow.co.uk 19.07
autotrader.co.uk 18.68
cargurus.co.uk 7
motorway.co.uk 5.16
pistonheads.com 5.01
arnoldclark.com 1.66
cinch.co.uk 1.23
vertumotors.com 1.13
carsupermarket.com 1
others 18.11
  • webuyanycar.com - 21.95%
  • carwow.co.uk - 19.07%
  • autotrader.co.uk - 18.68%
  • cargurus.co.uk - 7%
  • motorway.co.uk - 5.16%
  • pistonheads.com - 5.01%
  • arnoldclark.com - 1.66%
  • cinch.co.uk - 1.23%
  • vertumotors.com - 1.13%
  • carsupermarket.com - 1%
  • others - 18.11%

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive landscape of Google PPC, webuyanycar.com leads with a 21.95% click share. Carwow.co.uk and autotrader.co.uk follow closely. Notably, ‘others’ collectively hold 18.11%.

Market Exposure

Share of Spend for the top 10 UK Automotive Online Car Retailers brands

Curious about your market position? Here you can see the Top 10 competitors in the industry by Share of Spend for the last month. 

Share of Spend - Last Month
Share of Spend - Last Month
Date webuyanycar.com carwow.co.uk motorway.co.uk autotrader.co.uk bestcarbuyer.co.uk cargurus.co.uk arnoldclark.com cinch.co.uk motorpoint.co.uk cashforcars.co.uk
2026/07/01 34.95% 23.25% 16.99% 5.64% 1.95% 1.74% 0.83% 0.87% 0.83% 0.22%
2026/07/02 25.13% 26.75% 13.64% 8.18% 0.75% 3.93% 1.32% 1.17% 0.88% 0.79%
2026/07/03 22.42% 28.21% 13.57% 5.53% 1.14% 4.84% 1.49% 0.93% 1.42% 1.11%
2026/07/04 17.07% 29.87% 11.88% 5.78% 0% 9.31% 1.32% 1.08% 1.01% 1.48%
2026/07/05 17.87% 26.28% 12.97% 6.88% 1.2% 5.89% 1.57% 1.17% 1.09% 2.75%
2026/07/06 21.59% 24.47% 11.05% 7.13% 1.16% 5.93% 1.13% 1.39% 1.18% 1.61%
2026/07/07 19.86% 24.33% 10.56% 8.67% 2.57% 6.2% 2.81% 1.76% 0.87% 1.9%
2026/07/08 21.72% 26.86% 8.66% 6.64% 1.47% 7.43% 1.93% 1.56% 0.86% 1.36%
2026/07/09 27.91% 25.49% 10.88% 4.51% 2% 6.54% 1.85% 1.24% 0.72% 0.4%
2026/07/10 23.55% 26.76% 12.81% 4.39% 1.56% 5.24% 2.08% 1.12% 1.17% 2.15%
2026/07/11 22.3% 25% 10.63% 6.39% 0.01% 9.13% 2.53% 1.14% 1.07% 1.55%
2026/07/12 22.82% 26.36% 11.72% 5.91% 0.61% 7.98% 2.7% 1.07% 1.16% 1.61%
2026/07/13 21.19% 26.8% 13.63% 7.11% 0.99% 5.76% 1.56% 1.45% 1.13% 1.18%
2026/07/14 17.95% 26.17% 13.45% 7.37% 1.01% 7.59% 1.3% 1.25% 1.03% 0.76%
2026/07/15 20.96% 26.54% 11.78% 7.3% 2.01% 5.75% 2.34% 1.43% 0.92% 0.56%
2026/07/16 29.27% 22.7% 11.4% 8.02% 3.21% 1.73% 2.56% 1.1% 0.5% 1.87%
2026/07/17 29.75% 22.09% 14.38% 8.15% 1.35% 2.16% 1.45% 1.04% 0.93% 0.73%
2026/07/18 28.27% 27.12% 16.43% 8.31% 0.01% 1.46% 1.33% 0.62% 0.48% 1.96%
2026/07/19 28.76% 27.92% 13.98% 4.47% 0.85% 1.16% 2.22% 1.02% 0.96% 2.59%
2026/07/20 25.74% 23.29% 20.11% 8.17% 1.15% 0.9% 0.79% 0.73% 1.63% 0.08%
2026/07/21 17.91% 26.13% 13.43% 7.36% 1.01% 7.58% 1.3% 1.24% 1.03% 0.76%
2026/07/22 26.96% 28.27% 10.67% 5.85% 0.25% 5.51% 1.66% 1.1% 0.71% 0.52%
2026/07/23 17.63% 26.85% 15.46% 6.83% 1% 5.75% 2.07% 1.31% 1.35% 1.6%
2026/07/24 34.91% 21.86% 10.72% 7.92% 1.09% 4.16% 1.7% 0.87% 0.69% 0.74%
2026/07/25 26.45% 22.15% 12.29% 6.08% 0.41% 7.52% 2.05% 0.98% 1.03% 3.07%
2026/07/26 14.22% 29.43% 13.11% 8.13% 1.45% 5.86% 2.48% 1.35% 0.81% 1.51%
2026/07/27 25.69% 20.18% 13.96% 10.91% 1.89% 3.2% 1.9% 1.18% 0.59% 1.77%
2026/07/28 27.22% 20.85% 12.24% 8.75% 3.03% 3.02% 1.73% 0.94% 0.96% 1.13%
2026/07/29 24.33% 23.6% 16.84% 5.82% 2.78% 2.48% 1.51% 0.99% 0.83% 2.06%
2026/07/30 27.09% 25.55% 16.72% 4.86% 2.57% 2.06% 1.63% 0.71% 0.91% 2.35%
2026/07/31 27.95% 23.55% 15.46% 7.3% 2.57% 2.54% 1.68% 0.94% 0.87% 0.11%
  • webuyanycar.com
  • carwow.co.uk
  • motorway.co.uk
  • autotrader.co.uk
  • bestcarbuyer.co.uk
  • cargurus.co.uk
  • arnoldclark.com
  • cinch.co.uk
  • motorpoint.co.uk
  • cashforcars.co.uk

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In July 2026, webuyanycar.com led with fluctuating spend, peaking at 34.95% and ending at 27.95%. Carwow.co.uk maintained steady performance, while motorway.co.uk and autotrader.co.uk showed varied trends. The month concluded with webuyanycar.com dominating.

Market Exposure

Competitor Count for UK Automotive Online Car Retailers

Ever wondered how many competitors you’re up against in your industry? Well look no further, here we can see the number of advertisers bidding over the last month. 

Competitor Count - Last month
Competitor Count - Last month
Date Competitor Count
2026/07/01 258
2026/07/02 280
2026/07/03 281
2026/07/04 274
2026/07/05 270
2026/07/06 267
2026/07/07 271
2026/07/08 270
2026/07/09 264
2026/07/10 279
2026/07/11 289
2026/07/12 286
2026/07/13 286
2026/07/14 300
2026/07/15 285
2026/07/16 287
2026/07/17 252
2026/07/18 248
2026/07/19 257
2026/07/20 241
2026/07/21 300
2026/07/22 298
2026/07/23 315
2026/07/24 295
2026/07/25 306
2026/07/26 303
2026/07/27 282
2026/07/28 308
2026/07/29 271
2026/07/30 271
2026/07/31 246

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

July began with 258 advertisers, peaking at 315 mid-month. A decline followed, ending at 246. The month showcased dynamic fluctuations, highlighting competitive shifts.

Campaign Efficiency

Market Loss & Market Gains for UK Automotive Online Car Retailers

Here we’re looking at the Top 10 biggest industry movers by market share gains and losses for the last 30 days.

Market Loss & Market Gains - Last month
Market Loss & Market Gains - Last month
Name Market Trend
webuyanycar.com 3.29%
autotrader.co.uk 1.86%
motorway.co.uk 1.08%
carwow.co.uk 0.2%
pistonheads.com 0.18%
nissan.co.uk -0.27%
carsupermarket.com -0.33%
arnoldclark.com -0.41%
suzuki.co.uk -1.28%
cargurus.co.uk -2.69%

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Webuyanycar.com surged with a 3.29% click share increase, while cargurus.co.uk dropped by 2.69%. Autotrader.co.uk gained 1.86%, and motorway.co.uk rose by 1.08%.

Campaign Efficiency

UK Automotive Online Car Retailers Share of Impressions

Take a look at the Top 10 competitors in the industry by Share of Impressions over the last month.

Date carwow.co.uk motorway.co.uk autotrader.co.uk webuyanycar.com cargurus.co.uk vertumotors.com pistonheads.com cinch.co.uk arnoldclark.com carsupermarket.com
2026/07/01 19.93% 18.7% 8.69% 13.27% 5.8% 1.15% 2.43% 1.73% 1.33% 1.45%
2026/07/02 19.49% 11.74% 9.44% 10.41% 11.22% 1.08% 1.81% 2.3% 2.66% 2.65%
2026/07/03 22.21% 11.15% 6.12% 7.03% 13.86% 0.95% 2.51% 1.71% 2.09% 2%
2026/07/04 22.28% 9.99% 5.15% 4.49% 21.56% 2.17% 2.58% 1.87% 1.3% 2.96%
2026/07/05 18.23% 9.17% 9.03% 6.14% 14.15% 0.89% 2.56% 2.13% 2.63% 1.48%
2026/07/06 17.7% 7.98% 7.51% 6.77% 14.46% 0.95% 2.08% 2.43% 1.96% 1.32%
2026/07/07 17.5% 7.07% 10.53% 6.62% 14.66% 0.91% 1.54% 3.04% 3.88% 2.1%
2026/07/08 18.9% 5.13% 9.43% 6.84% 18.47% 2.01% 1.9% 2.6% 2.62% 1.77%
2026/07/09 23% 6.84% 5.93% 8.11% 17.84% 3.45% 1.88% 2.33% 2.57% 2.02%
2026/07/10 20.67% 8.65% 7.24% 7.64% 14.44% 1.13% 1.81% 2.05% 2.72% 1.81%
2026/07/11 19.42% 7.38% 7.48% 6.95% 20.47% 2.88% 1.47% 1.73% 3.46% 2.58%
2026/07/12 19.96% 7.94% 8.81% 7.18% 18.47% 1.23% 1.52% 1.76% 3.69% 2.27%
2026/07/13 19.71% 9.42% 9.43% 6.2% 14.29% 2.44% 1.73% 2.41% 2.12% 1.93%
2026/07/14 20.05% 9.24% 8.19% 5.02% 17.41% 3.31% 1.46% 2.1% 1.29% 3.1%
2026/07/15 20.3% 8.63% 9.27% 6.96% 14.95% 3.83% 1.78% 2.57% 2.66% 1.29%
2026/07/16 20.17% 10% 11.19% 10.82% 4.92% 2.95% 1.5% 2.15% 3.8% 1.44%
2026/07/17 19.39% 13.81% 9.4% 10.91% 6.41% 4.5% 2.13% 2.02% 2.23% 2.66%
2026/07/18 24.06% 17.1% 11.05% 10.68% 5.05% 1.01% 1.53% 1.14% 1.45% 1.16%
2026/07/19 24.13% 12.26% 8.25% 11.83% 3% 1.13% 2.33% 1.98% 3.43% 0.85%
2026/07/20 23.6% 19.11% 9.84% 10.37% 3% 0.79% 2.95% 1.7% 1.3% 0.92%
2026/07/21 20.05% 9.24% 8.19% 5.02% 17.41% 3.31% 1.46% 2.1% 1.29% 3.1%
2026/07/22 22.3% 8.44% 9.22% 9.01% 14.33% 2.4% 2.23% 2.18% 2.21% 2.09%
2026/07/23 20.65% 11.2% 8.05% 4.81% 14.61% 2.57% 3.19% 2.35% 2.56% 1.96%
2026/07/24 19.67% 8.51% 10.13% 13.31% 12% 2.31% 2.2% 1.69% 2.42% 1.57%
2026/07/25 17.88% 9.56% 8.56% 8.05% 18.12% 2.01% 1.12% 1.81% 2.53% 1.53%
2026/07/26 21.34% 8.7% 11.1% 4.41% 14.48% 2.18% 1.46% 2.41% 2.72% 1.77%
2026/07/27 15.41% 12.74% 14.73% 8.12% 8.03% 2.08% 1.41% 2.29% 2.12% 1.54%
2026/07/28 17.41% 11.25% 12.65% 8.79% 8.59% 1.6% 1.49% 2% 2.29% 1.56%
2026/07/29 17.89% 16.25% 10.58% 8.33% 6.83% 1.95% 1.8% 2.09% 1.84% 1.3%
2026/07/30 19.62% 16.37% 8.08% 10.14% 5.98% 1.74% 2.15% 1.67% 2.21% 1.03%
2026/07/31 17.96% 14.38% 11.81% 9.68% 7.38% 2.45% 2.2% 1.8% 1.63% 1.5%
  • carwow.co.uk
  • motorway.co.uk
  • autotrader.co.uk
  • webuyanycar.com
  • cargurus.co.uk
  • vertumotors.com
  • pistonheads.com
  • cinch.co.uk
  • arnoldclark.com
  • carsupermarket.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In July 2026, carwow.co.uk led with fluctuating impressions, peaking mid-month. Motorway.co.uk saw a mid-month surge, while autotrader.co.uk remained steady. Webuyanycar.com and cargurus.co.uk experienced varied trends. The month concluded with carwow.co.uk maintaining dominance.

Campaign Efficiency

Google Text Ad Copy Insights & Creative Trends for UK Automotive Online Car Retailers

Ever wondered how your rivals’ ads are doing? Here we can see the top-performing ads in the industry over the last month.

Google Text Ad Copy Insights & Creative Trends for UK Automotive Online Car Retailers - Last month
  1. 1
    Autotrader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale https://www.autotrader.co.uk

    AutoTrader, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars

  2. 2
    We Will Buy Your Car - The UK's Favourite Car Buyers https://www.bestcarbuyer.co.uk › online-quote

    Will Buy All Cars Under 7 Years Old. Enter Your Reg Online Today With Us! Selling Your Car Has Never Been So Fast, So Get An Online Quote And Instant...

  3. 3
    Enter Reg for free valuation - We collect & pay quickly https://www.carwow.co.uk

    Simple, free online process, home collection, and fast payment. Sell with Carwow

  4. 4
    Free Valuation - Enter Reg https://www.motorway.co.uk

    Get Your Highest Offer — Simply Enter Your Reg To Get A Free Valuation. Find Your Highest Offer On Motorway. Sellers On...

  5. 5
    We Buy Any Car - Free Valuation in 30 Seconds https://www.webuyanycar.com

    Get started by entering your reg number and see how much your car is worth in 30 secs. Selling your car made simple – enter your reg and get a free 30 second valuation now.

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive world of online car sales, AutoTrader leads with its trusted platform for buying and selling cars. BestCarBuyer and Carwow emphasize quick, hassle-free transactions, while Motorway and WeBuyAnyCar focus on instant valuations, highlighting convenience and speed.

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