Record app audience: 3.7 million active users in May
Big news: last month we hit a new record with the most active users we’ve ever had on our app. In May, 3.7 million people actively used the Autotrader app to search for their next car.
Today, most people use their phone for everything. In fact, around 50% of Autotrader traffic comes through our app. Gone are the days where you would sit down at your computer to find a vehicle. Now, consumers search on their phones while commuting to work, watching TV, or waiting for their kids. Autotrader is in their pocket, which means your adverts are always ready to view.
Autotrader has been the number one car-buying app since apps began. We continuously invest in the platform to improve the experience for buyers. We do this so they see your vehicles, your images, your videos, enabling them to contact you, even reserve your cars straight from the app. The process is straightforward, and we are continuing to build on this momentum.
Continuous investment into app
Recent product updates and targeted consumer marketing have driven massive engagement. This activity resulted in seven consecutive months of year-on-year download growth and an increase in monthly active users. It’s something we’re continuously developing to help get more eyeballs on your adverts so you can be where the buyers are.
Three things we’ve recently done to improve the buying experience on our app:
AI-powered search categories: Buyers can now browse curated, lifestyle-led collections like ‘Family car’ or ‘Cheap to insure’ to help find them the right match early in their journey. We’re evolving from a-functional search tool to a genuinely helpful guide at the start of the car-buying journey.
Bigger, better images: We’ve introduced significantly larger images than any competitor, combined with a suite of AI-assisted photo optimisation tools for dealers. You can instantly elevate the quality of photos you uploads, bringing the forecourt experience into the app. Consumers see exactly what they’re buying with the best quality imagery available on any platform.
Online reservations :Online reservations are now live on close to 200,000* cars across the Autotrader app. Buyers can instantly reserve a car and secure it with a fully refundable £99 deposit for those of you who are opted into Deal Builder.
Since launch, over 230,000 vehicles have been reserved online.
Downloads don’t sell cars. Buyers do.
In today’s marketplace, app downloads can generate headlines, but they don’t tell the full story. The real measure of success is whether consumers continue to use an app throughout their car-buying journey. That’s where the Autotrader app stands apart.
With an average of 3 million monthly unique app users, that’s 6x larger than our nearest competitor who reach just 0.5 million - that’s not a close race.
What does this mean for dealers?
By investing in our app, we’re helping consumers assess vehicles with greater confidence meaning they’re more likely to convert, quicker. We’re also helping you showcase your stock more effectively and connect with high-intent buyers.
It’s another step towards creating a better marketplace for both consumers and retailers. So, with more active users on our app than we’ve ever had before, don’t miss the opportunity to get your cars seen by those 3 million consumers every month.
Check out our latest advertising webinar for some hints and tips on crafting the perfect advert.
* As of 4th June 2026, 193, 885 cars available to reserve on Autotrader.