UK Automotive Online Car Retailers - PPC Market Share Analysis April 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 18.3807839287
81.6192160713
18%

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 64
36
64%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 34%
Transactional 42%
Navigational 2%
Seasonal 0%
Local 3%
Problem Solving 4%

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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 28.04
carwow.co.uk 24.58
motorway.co.uk 9.04
pistonheads.com 8.25
cargurus.co.uk 5.29
autotrader.co.uk 3.11
cinch.co.uk 1.46
copart.co.uk 1.2
motorpoint.co.uk 1.12
carsupermarket.com 1.04
others 16.87
  • webuyanycar.com - 28.04%
  • carwow.co.uk - 24.58%
  • motorway.co.uk - 9.04%
  • pistonheads.com - 8.25%
  • cargurus.co.uk - 5.29%
  • autotrader.co.uk - 3.11%
  • cinch.co.uk - 1.46%
  • copart.co.uk - 1.2%
  • motorpoint.co.uk - 1.12%
  • carsupermarket.com - 1.04%
  • others - 16.87%

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In the competitive landscape of online car retail, webuyanycar.com leads with a 28.04% click share, followed by carwow.co.uk at 24.58%. Meanwhile, ‘others’ collectively hold 16.87%, showcasing diverse competition.

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 motorway.co.uk carwow.co.uk bestcarbuyer.co.uk cargurus.co.uk motorpoint.co.uk autotrader.co.uk arnoldclark.com bigwantsyourcar.com motormoolah.com
2026/04/01 27.5% 17.53% 26.33% 3.05% 3.06% 1.89% 0.9% 1.66% 0.87% 0.84%
2026/04/02 22.57% 14.9% 27.11% 1.67% 6.18% 2% 1.27% 1.21% 0.83% 1.1%
2026/04/03 23.63% 17.7% 28.38% 0.01% 4.97% 1.79% 1.59% 0.89% 2.12% 1.23%
2026/04/04 23.4% 16.66% 27.02% 0.01% 4.03% 2.74% 2.12% 1.81% 2.25% 1.31%
2026/04/05 28.59% 16.26% 25.11% 0.03% 3.4% 0.74% 1.46% 0.9% 0.98% 2.12%
2026/04/06 15.36% 15.06% 29.44% 0.78% 5.73% 0.7% 1.72% 1.36% 1.87% 2.08%
2026/04/07 22.5% 15.89% 26.85% 2.54% 6.04% 0.53% 2.42% 1.03% 2.21% 2.33%
2026/04/08 22.06% 15.09% 31.19% 1.33% 2.55% 1.73% 1.16% 0.79% 2.16% 1.64%
2026/04/09 14.53% 17.36% 28.9% 1.02% 3.47% 4.01% 1.56% 0.84% 2.76% 1.21%
2026/04/10 16.75% 16.15% 29.4% 0.91% 6.99% 3.56% 1.14% 1.09% 2.85% 1.59%
2026/04/11 26.46% 16.53% 26.75% 0% 4.1% 2.12% 1.07% 0.59% 3.1% 1.25%
2026/04/12 22.7% 18.2% 29.31% 1.98% 4.01% 1.99% 0.67% 0.65% 1.43% 1.35%
2026/04/13 30.64% 14.73% 24.71% 1.08% 4.98% 1.6% 0.78% 0.43% 1.26% 1.64%
2026/04/14 18.7% 14.85% 27.16% 2.94% 7.33% 2.89% 0.88% 1.56% 1.94% 0.89%
2026/04/15 22.94% 18.93% 26.64% 1.52% 2.65% 2.6% 0.79% 1.32% 2.22% 1.76%
2026/04/16 25.14% 16.89% 25.06% 0.57% 3.05% 1.51% 0.71% 0.71% 2.17% 4.37%
2026/04/17 20.46% 15.16% 26.71% 3.14% 4.18% 1.23% 0.96% 1.05% 0.42% 4.6%
2026/04/18 27.75% 15.18% 20.39% 0% 6.94% 3.37% 0.98% 0.75% 0.69% 2.84%
2026/04/19 13.7% 20% 28.62% 0.58% 3.26% 3.12% 1.23% 0.93% 1.29% 3.87%
2026/04/20 38.55% 17.6% 20.43% 2.55% 2.23% 2.32% 0.71% 0.52% 0.35% 0.27%
2026/04/21 36.58% 17.44% 20.14% 2% 3.35% 2.39% 0.48% 0.48% 0.44% 0.7%
2026/04/22 38.82% 18.56% 18.31% 0.69% 2.53% 2.83% 1% 0.56% 0.11% 1.01%
2026/04/23 38.67% 15.84% 19.04% 1.79% 1.93% 3.38% 0.78% 0.54% 0.48% 0.94%
2026/04/24 33.82% 16.39% 21.99% 0.57% 2.73% 2.27% 1.36% 1.51% 0.12% 1.54%
2026/04/25 32.98% 20.59% 21.07% 0% 3.31% 2.4% 0.86% 1.71% 0.13% 1.4%
2026/04/26 24.29% 22.49% 23.67% 3.03% 3.84% 2.8% 1.13% 0.75% 0.45% 1.78%
2026/04/27 30.19% 16.89% 20.42% 2.23% 4.51% 2.27% 0.91% 1.61% 0.02% 1%
2026/04/28 31.76% 20.11% 18.89% 1.75% 3.56% 2.9% 0.82% 1.23% 0.67% 1.03%
2026/04/29 40.95% 15.75% 17.34% 4.21% 2.07% 1.81% 0.5% 1.9% 0.91% 0.53%
2026/04/30 37.43% 18.13% 16.21% 3.06% 2.64% 2.15% 0.6% 0.57% 0.37% 0.24%
  • webuyanycar.com
  • motorway.co.uk
  • carwow.co.uk
  • bestcarbuyer.co.uk
  • cargurus.co.uk
  • motorpoint.co.uk
  • autotrader.co.uk
  • arnoldclark.com
  • bigwantsyourcar.com
  • motormoolah.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In April 2026, webuyanycar.com led with a peak spend share of 40.95% on April 29. Motorway.co.uk and carwow.co.uk followed, showing consistent mid-range values. Bestcarbuyer.co.uk and cargurus.co.uk had fluctuating shares, while motormoolah.com peaked mid-month. The month concluded with webuyanycar.com maintaining dominance.

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
2026/04/01 276
2026/04/02 286
2026/04/03 291
2026/04/04 280
2026/04/05 294
2026/04/06 291
2026/04/07 270
2026/04/08 269
2026/04/09 268
2026/04/10 267
2026/04/11 252
2026/04/12 239
2026/04/13 256
2026/04/14 254
2026/04/15 268
2026/04/16 258
2026/04/17 250
2026/04/18 262
2026/04/19 255
2026/04/20 269
2026/04/21 267
2026/04/22 268
2026/04/23 273
2026/04/24 278
2026/04/25 272
2026/04/26 266
2026/04/27 263
2026/04/28 265
2026/04/29 270
2026/04/30 261

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April began with 276 advertisers, peaking at 294 by the 5th. A mid-month dip to 239 on the 12th was followed by a recovery, ending at 261.

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 11.36%
motorway.co.uk 0.74%
citroen.co.uk 0.37%
bestcarbuyer.co.uk 0.32%
rvsupercentre.co.uk 0.21%
bigwantsyourcar.com -0.57%
pistonheads.com -0.84%
cargurus.co.uk -1.38%
autotrader.co.uk -1.54%
carwow.co.uk -5.65%

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Webuyanycar.com surged with an 11.36% click share increase, while carwow.co.uk dropped by 5.65%.

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 motorway.co.uk carwow.co.uk webuyanycar.com cargurus.co.uk cinch.co.uk pistonheads.com carsupermarket.com autotrader.co.uk motorpoint.co.uk bmw.co.uk
2026/04/01 21.31% 25.37% 9.15% 7.04% 2.8% 3.36% 1.6% 1.23% 1.9% 0.15%
2026/04/02 14.53% 24.74% 6.64% 12.74% 3.87% 2.95% 1.89% 1.82% 1.73% 0.57%
2026/04/03 17% 23.88% 7.14% 12.22% 3.22% 2.37% 1.51% 2.42% 1.73% 0.18%
2026/04/04 18.34% 24.28% 7.67% 9.93% 3.06% 2.64% 2.19% 2.97% 1.92% 0.24%
2026/04/05 18.03% 23.49% 9.65% 8.2% 3.48% 2.31% 2.24% 2.24% 1.43% 0.17%
2026/04/06 12.6% 22.48% 4.39% 10.67% 2.91% 5.25% 2.16% 2.62% 1.07% 1.75%
2026/04/07 15.91% 23.36% 7.11% 11.89% 2.05% 3.13% 1.69% 4.3% 1.24% 0.25%
2026/04/08 16.05% 27.66% 7.38% 6.73% 1.84% 2.85% 3.04% 1.85% 1.69% 2.04%
2026/04/09 18.5% 23.94% 4.82% 7.71% 1.7% 2.53% 1.81% 2.2% 2.88% 3.89%
2026/04/10 14.92% 23.85% 4.36% 10.92% 1.84% 2.61% 2.36% 1.57% 2.08% 4.28%
2026/04/11 19.15% 25.07% 8.61% 8.11% 1.65% 2.11% 1.89% 1.69% 1.81% 1.74%
2026/04/12 20.21% 26.1% 7.75% 10.24% 1.94% 3.12% 1.33% 1.09% 1.89% 1.49%
2026/04/13 17.04% 23.66% 10.19% 10.92% 0.87% 2.37% 1.8% 1.69% 1.35% 1.66%
2026/04/14 13.93% 21.38% 6.42% 13.29% 2.5% 2.81% 2.24% 1.58% 2% 4.15%
2026/04/15 19.45% 22.76% 6.7% 6.37% 2.63% 2.34% 1.57% 1.07% 2.19% 2.51%
2026/04/16 20.48% 22.78% 8.5% 7.29% 1.51% 2.78% 1.19% 0.98% 1.37% 2.72%
2026/04/17 18.18% 17.65% 6.33% 9.27% 2.53% 5.56% 1.47% 1.42% 1.58% 2.08%
2026/04/18 14.79% 17.06% 8.11% 14.06% 1.78% 2.74% 2.59% 1.45% 3.31% 2.28%
2026/04/19 19.29% 21.92% 4.69% 7.57% 3.91% 1.81% 1.93% 1.64% 2.18% 1.31%
2026/04/20 22.44% 19.16% 12.91% 6.71% 3.24% 2.03% 1.65% 1.21% 1.96% 0.98%
2026/04/21 21.49% 20.75% 12.31% 8.34% 1.34% 3% 1.32% 0.82% 1.39% 0.8%
2026/04/22 22.06% 19.13% 13.79% 6.24% 2.52% 1.96% 1.76% 1.97% 1.78% 1.31%
2026/04/23 18.42% 17.09% 13.92% 5.25% 1.85% 1.76% 1.72% 1.66% 2.65% 1.2%
2026/04/24 17.74% 18.79% 11.02% 6.76% 1.6% 1.82% 1.09% 2.38% 1.38% 1.04%
2026/04/25 22.94% 21.06% 11.3% 8.53% 1.01% 2.27% 1.3% 1.77% 1.72% 1.11%
2026/04/26 23.44% 21.2% 8.06% 9.63% 1.33% 2.09% 1.37% 2.02% 1.61% 1.33%
2026/04/27 18.72% 19.66% 9.13% 9.39% 1.23% 1.93% 1.37% 1.56% 1.4% 1.57%
2026/04/28 20.79% 17.98% 10.31% 8.06% 1.05% 2.29% 3.58% 1.86% 1.78% 0.94%
2026/04/29 20.62% 16.43% 14.08% 5.97% 1.46% 2.73% 1.15% 1.23% 1.35% 1.26%
2026/04/30 22.07% 16.34% 12.35% 6.99% 3.27% 2.3% 2.03% 1.38% 1.27% 1.16%
  • motorway.co.uk
  • carwow.co.uk
  • webuyanycar.com
  • cargurus.co.uk
  • cinch.co.uk
  • pistonheads.com
  • carsupermarket.com
  • autotrader.co.uk
  • motorpoint.co.uk
  • bmw.co.uk

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

April saw motorway.co.uk’s impression share fluctuate, peaking at 23.44% on the 26th. Carwow.co.uk started strong but declined, ending at 16.34%. Webuyanycar.com rose steadily, reaching 14.08% on the 29th. Cargurus.co.uk and cinch.co.uk showed varied trends, while pistonheads.com remained stable. The month concluded with motorway.co.uk leading.

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
    We Will Buy Your Car https://www.bestcarbuyer.co.uk › online-quote

    The UK's Favourite Car Buyers — 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...

  2. 2
    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. Fast. Easy. Great prices. This is how selling your car should feel.

  3. 3
    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. Get Your...

  4. 4
    We Buy Any Premium Car | Top Prices for High Spec Cars https://www.premiumcarbuyingservice.com

    Best Buyers of Quality Premium Brands and All High Spec Vehicles. 5-Star Reviews. Use Premium Car...

  5. 5
    We Buy Any Car https://www.webuyanycar.com

    Free Valuation in 30 Seconds — Selling your car made simple – enter your reg and get a free 30 second valuation now. Get started by...

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive world of online car buying, five advertisers stand out with compelling messages. Bestcarbuyer.co.uk promises a swift, hassle-free sale for cars under seven years. Carwow.co.uk emphasizes simplicity and speed, offering home collection. Motorway.co.uk highlights securing the highest offer. Premiumcarbuyingservice.com targets premium vehicles, boasting top prices. Webuyanycar.com offers quick, free valuations, ensuring a seamless selling experience. Each ad uniquely appeals to sellers, focusing on convenience, speed, and value.

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