As AutoTrader Raises Prices Again, Car Owl Opens Its Marketplace to All and Cuts Listing Costs for Trade Sellers

UK car dealers and private sellers are facing renewed pressure after AutoTrader confirmed further price increases across its advertising products, with trade users continuing to pay higher fees despite being the platform's most frequent and commercially valuable customers.

Against this backdrop, Car Owl has announced that it has fully opened its automotive marketplace to all users, while introducing a 15 percent discount on all listing fees for trade sellers.

The move positions Car Owl as a direct alternative at a time of growing dissatisfaction across the UK motor trade.

A Marketplace Open to Everyone

Car Owl's platform now supports all transaction types within a single marketplace, including consumer to consumer, consumer to business, business to consumer, and business to business sales.

The company says the change is designed to remove long-standing barriers between private sellers and the trade, while offering a simpler and more transparent experience for buyers and advertisers alike.

The Car Owl homepage can be accessed at:
https://carowl.co.uk

Its open vehicle marketplace is available at:
https://carowl.co.uk/vehicles/browse

No Buyer Fees and Clear Pricing for Sellers

Unlike many established platforms, Car Owl does not charge buyers any fees. Sellers pay only for advertising space, with straightforward pricing and optional listing upgrades.

Trade and private sellers can choose between standard listings or enhanced Pro and Deluxe options, which increase visibility and reach without compulsory bundles or long-term contracts.

For trade users, all listing fees are currently reduced by 15 percent.

Responding to Dealer Frustration

Industry reaction to recent AutoTrader price rises has highlighted growing frustration among independent dealers, many of whom report increasing costs at a time when margins remain under pressure.

Car Owl says its pricing model is designed to address that imbalance.

A spokesperson for the company said:
"Trade sellers generate the majority of listings and engagement in the UK car market, yet they continue to be charged the most. We believe advertising platforms should support the businesses that rely on them, not penalise them."

Additional Buyer Tools Included

In addition to its marketplace, Car Owl also provides vehicle data services aimed at improving transparency for buyers.

These include a vehicle history check service:
https://carowl.co.uk/vehicle-history-check

and a dedicated VIN vehicle check tool:
https://carowl.co.uk/vin-vehicle-check

The company says these tools are intended to help buyers make more informed decisions without being redirected to third-party platforms.

A Challenge to a Dominated Market

The UK automotive advertising market has long been dominated by a small number of platforms, leaving sellers with limited choice.

Car Owl believes that rising prices, combined with increased demand for transparent and flexible digital marketplaces, have created the conditions for meaningful competition.

By opening its platform to all sellers and reducing costs for the trade, the company aims to establish itself as a viable long-term alternative.

© 2026 Car Owl Ltd. All rights reserved. Car Owl® is a registered trademark. Registered in the UK (Company No. 15130731). Registered office: Unit A, 82 James Carter Road, Mildenhall, IP28 7DE.

About Car Owl

Car Owl is a UK-based automotive marketplace offering vehicle listings, buyer tools, and advertising solutions for private sellers and the motor trade. The platform operates with no buyer fees and transparent seller pricing, with discounted rates available for trade users.

This release was published on openPR.