Leading Automotive Marketplaces & Retailers in the UK: Q1 2025 Analysis

In the competitive landscape of the United Kingdom's automotive marketplaces and retailers, several brands have established themselves as leaders. This article delves into the performance of three prominent brands in Q1 2025: CarGurus LLC, Arnold Clark Automobiles Limited, and Copart, Inc. By leveraging Sensor Tower's comprehensive data, we provide insights into their web and app performance, audience trends, and advertising strategies.

CarGurus LLC

CarGurus LLC stands out with its robust digital presence through its website, cargurus.com, and the CarGurus: Used & New Cars app.

• Audience Trends: From Q4 2024 to Q1 2025, cargurus.com exhibited a steady increase in visits, peaking at 3.8M in March. The monthly true audience saw a significant rise, surpassing 1M. The web platform consistently attracted a larger audience compared to the app, with web-only visitors dominating.

• App Engagement: The app maintained a stable monthly active user base, hovering around 225K in Q1 2025, indicating a loyal user base despite a slight decrease from the previous quarter.

• Ad Spend & Channels: CarGurus increased its monthly ad spend, particularly on Facebook, which accounted for the majority of its impressions. Total monthly ad spend reached nearly $200K in March, with impressions exceeding 33M.

Arnold Clark Automobiles Limited

Arnold Clark's digital strategy is anchored by its website, arnoldclark.com, and the Arnold Clark - New & used cars app.

• Audience Trends: The website experienced a notable increase in visits, reaching over 4.5M in March 2025. The monthly true audience also grew steadily, crossing 370K by the end of Q1. Web-only visitors were the primary audience, highlighting the strength of their web presence.

• App Engagement: The app's monthly active user base remained stable, with approximately 99K users in March, reflecting consistent engagement.

• Ad Spend & Channels: Advertising efforts were robust, with a monthly spend increase in January peaking at over $550K. Facebook and Instagram were the dominant channels, delivering substantial impressions.

Copart, Inc.

Copart's online reach is driven by its website, copart.com, and the Copart - Online Auto Auctions app.

• Audience Trends: Copart.com witnessed a dynamic increase in visits, particularly in January, where visits soared to over 8.8M. The monthly true audience also increased, reaching around 240K in March.

• App Engagement: The app saw a steady increase in monthly active users, reaching over 25K by March, reflecting growing interest in mobile auctions.

• Ad Spend & Channels: Copart's monthly ad spend was minimal, with occasional activity on Facebook. Despite low expenditure, they maintained a strategic presence in the market.

Conclusion

The automotive marketplaces and retailers in the UK showcased varied strategies in Q1 2025. CarGurus, Arnold Clark, and Copart each leveraged their strengths across web and mobile platforms, with differing approaches to advertising. Sensor Tower's data provides invaluable insights into these trends, highlighting the importance of a balanced digital strategy across platforms. For those seeking detailed cross-platform user behavior analysis, Sensor Tower remains the leading source for comprehensive data insights.