Autotrader apps hits record high as May marks biggest ever month for active users

Autotrader’s apps recorded an all-time high of 3.7 million[1] monthly active users (MAUs) in May.
Downloads and reinstalls grew 10%[2] year-on-year, marking seven consecutive months of growth.
Autotrader’s apps audience is nearly six times larger than its closest competitor, reinforcing its position as the UK’s most effective marketplace for retailers to reach engaged car buyers.

Autotrader, the UK’s largest automotive marketplace, has recorded its highest month on record for app engagement, with 3.7 million monthly active users (MAUs) across its mobile apps in May.

The milestone was driven by strong performance across both platforms, with iOS alone accounting for a record 2.6 million active users last month.

Beyond May’s record performance, Autotrader’s app audience remains substantially ahead of the market on a sustained basis, averaging around three million[3] monthly active users — around six times[4] the level of its nearest competitor (circa 0.5 million). For retailers, this means stock advertised on Autotrader is consistently seen by the UK’s largest active audience of car buyers. And with around half of all traffic coming through its mobile apps, retailers can reach consumers via a key channel.

The definitive metric of value

Monthly active users are one of the clearest measures of an app’s value, reflecting sustained, repeat engagement from consumers actively using a platform. This ongoing level of activity indicates stronger intent throughout the car-buying journey, ensuring retailer stock remains visible to buyers who are actively in-market.

Autotrader also continues to attract new users at scale. In May, downloads and reinstalls exceeded 280,000, up 10% year-on-year and marking seven consecutive months of growth, supported by targeted consumer marketing activity, and ongoing product enhancements.

Indeed, this month, Autotrader will be rolling out one of the most significant updates to its app experience in recent years — including new AI-powered lifestyle search categories, enhanced vehicle imagery, and improved photo optimisation tools for retailers.

These developments ensure the platform continues to deliver both a growing and highly engaged audience, helping retailers connect with more in-market buyers more effectively.

Reflecting broader marketplace strength

The app’s record performance reflects the wider strength of the Autotrader marketplace, which continues to attract a highly engaged audience at scale.

In the last financial year, Autotrader attracted an average of over nine million unique visitors each month across its digital ecosystem. What’s more, UK car buyers spend significantly more time on Autotrader than on any other automotive platform — 11x[5] more than its nearest competitor — demonstrating the depth of engagement with its audience.

Crucially, 67% of Autotrader’s audience is unique to the platform, making it a vital channel for retailers looking to capture the full market.

Our focus has always been on building deep consumer trust and removing the friction from the car-buying process. While initial app discovery and download momentum are important indicators of market health, the true metric of long-term value for our retail partners is sustained, active engagement throughout the consumer's entire purchase journey. The fact that the Autotrader app is now embedded in the daily buying habits of millions of users is a testament to that trust. By continually investing in our brand presence, our marketing platforms, and our user experience, we ensure that our partners’ stock is consistently positioned in front of the largest, most exclusive, and highest-intent audience in the UK.

Rox Nejad, Head of Brand, Autotrader

[1] Autotrader Internal Data, May-26

[2] Autotrader Internal Data, May-26

[3] Sensor Tower, Autotrader - Monthly Average Active App Users, Jan-26 to Mar-26

[4] Sensor Tower, Autotrader - Monthly Average Active App Users, Jan-26 to Mar-26

[5] Share of minutes from our nearest competitor is a custom metric based on Comscore minutes and is calculated by dividing Autotrader’s total minutes volume by the entire custom-defined competitive set’s total minutes volume. The custom-defined list includes: Autotrader, Gumtree.com - Motors, eBay Motors UK and Cazoo.

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