Cazoo and Cinch were the two big names that promised to drag UK car buying into the modern era — buy your car online, get it delivered to your door, return it if you're not happy. Years on, they've both survived (Cazoo has been through some rough patches) and they're still the two biggest pure-play online used car sellers in the UK. But which one actually delivers better value?

The Big Difference

Both are direct-to-consumer retailers, meaning they own the cars they sell. They prep, photograph, MOT and warranty every car before listing. This is fundamentally different from AutoTrader, which is a marketplace where individual sellers list cars.

That direct model means consistent quality and a known fixed price — but it usually means slightly higher prices than the bargain end of AutoTrader or eBay.

Pricing

In our experience, Cinch is typically a touch cheaper on like-for-like cars. Both retailers price at or near market value, with neither offering haggling. Cinch's "no haggle" promise is genuinely fixed; Cazoo has occasionally run promotions.

If you want the absolute lowest price on a specific model, neither will be the cheapest option overall — that title goes to private sellers on AutoTrader or auctions on eBay. But for fixed-price peace of mind, both are fair.

Delivery

Cazoo offers home delivery across most of the UK, typically within 7 days. Cinch is similar. Both will deliver to your driveway free of charge or for a small fee depending on distance.

If you'd rather collect, both have collection points or showroom locations, though Cazoo has scaled back physical sites since 2023.

Returns and Warranty

Both offer a 7-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. Both include 90 days of warranty as standard, with options to extend.

This is genuinely valuable — try returning a private-sale car after a week and see how that goes. The 7-day window is the killer feature of online car retailers.

Stock

Cazoo's inventory has been more variable since their financial restructuring. Cinch tends to have more consistent stock levels and a better mix of newer, lower-mileage cars.

Cinch is owned by Constellation Automotive Group, which also owns BCA (the UK's largest car auction house). That gives them a steady pipeline of stock, which is reflected in their consistent inventory levels.

Verdict

For most UK buyers, Cinch edges it in 2026 — slightly better pricing on average, more reliable stock, and a similar buying experience. But Cazoo still has its niche, particularly on certain prestige models.

The smartest move is to check both. Run your search through Car Cupid and you'll get results from Cazoo, Cinch, AutoTrader, eBay Motors and Motors.co.uk in one shot.