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
Cazoo and Cinch: Direct Retailers
Both Cazoo and Cinch own the cars they sell. They source them, prep them, photograph them, MOT them, and sell them. This means consistent quality but slightly higher prices than the auction or private-seller end of the market.
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 direct retailers, 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): Cinch tends to be slightly cheaper than Cazoo on average. Carwow is the most variable — sometimes cheaper, sometimes considerably more.
- SUVs and family cars (Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage): Cazoo and Cinch are very close. Carwow can be cheaper 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:
- Cazoo: 7-day returns, 90-day warranty, free delivery to most areas.
- Cinch: 14-day returns (a meaningful upgrade on Cazoo), 90-day warranty, free delivery.
- 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: Cazoo and Cinch are level.
- 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 Motors.co.uk often have lower prices than any of the direct retailers, particularly on dealer-listed cars. 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.