Cazoo, Cinch and Carwow get talked about in the same breath, but they actually work very differently. Knowing the difference is the key to getting the cheapest car. Here's how they compare in 2026.
The Three Models Explained
Cinch: A Direct Retailer
Cinch owns the cars it sells. It sources them, preps them, MOTs them and sells them to you directly. That means consistent quality and one company responsible, but prices at or near market value rather than the bargain end.
Cazoo: A Dealer Marketplace
Cazoo doesn't own any stock. The original direct-retail Cazoo collapsed in 2024; the brand was bought by Motors.co.uk and relaunched as a marketplace, and Motors folded its own site into the Cazoo name in May 2026. Today it advertises cars from dealers across the UK, so your contract is with the dealer, not with Cazoo.
Carwow: Dealer Marketplace (Mostly)
Carwow is fundamentally different. For new cars, it's a dealer comparison platform — dealers compete to give you the best price. For used cars, it's grown into a marketplace where dealers list inventory and Carwow takes a fee per lead or sale.
That means used car prices on Carwow are dealer prices — sometimes higher than a fixed-price retailer like Cinch, sometimes more competitive on specific models.
Direct Pricing Comparison
We ran like-for-like searches for several common models across all three sites. The pattern that emerges:
- Volume models (Ford Focus, Vauxhall Corsa, VW Polo): marketplace listings on Cazoo and Carwow undercut Cinch more often than not, but with far more variation between individual dealers.
- SUVs and family cars (Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage): Cinch's fixed pricing is competitive here; Cazoo and Carwow can both beat it on specific dealer listings.
- Premium/prestige (BMW 3 Series, Audi A4): Carwow often has the best prices because franchised dealers list there and price aggressively.
The Hidden Costs
Pricing isn't just sticker. Each platform handles delivery, returns and warranty differently:
- Cinch: 14-day money-back guarantee, 90-day warranty with breakdown assistance, delivery to your door. Checked 2 September 2026.
- Cazoo: no central policy — returns, warranty and delivery are whatever the individual dealer offers. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 still gives you 30 days to reject a faulty car from any trade seller.
- Carwow: returns and warranty depend on the individual dealer. Vary widely.
So Which Is Cheapest?
Honestly, it depends on the specific car. As a general rule:
- Volume hatchbacks: Cinch slight winner.
- SUVs: Cinch is competitive on fixed price; marketplaces vary.
- Premium/prestige: Carwow is often (but not always) the cheapest.
The smartest move? Don't pick one upfront — compare all three plus AutoTrader and eBay Motors. That's the entire reason Car Cupid exists. One search, every site at once.
Beyond the Big Three
Don't forget that AutoTrader and eBay Motors often have lower prices than a direct retailer like Cinch, particularly on private and small-dealer listings. The trade-off is the more variable buying experience.
If price is your absolute priority and you're prepared to do your own due diligence, AutoTrader will usually beat all three of these on like-for-like cars. If convenience matters more, Cinch is your safest bet.
The Bottom Line
None of the three is reliably cheapest across the board. The difference within a single model can be £500–£2,000 depending on the platform — which is why comparing them all matters. Use Car Cupid to do exactly that in one click.