Find your next vehicle faster with saved searches
Saved search explained: get the most out of saved searches on Autotrader
Words by: Eleanor Greaves
Last updated on 17 August 2026 | 0 min read
What is a saved search?
Our saved search feature allows you to save your filtered search criteria, such as make, model, fuel type and so on, so you can quickly return to the vehicles you’re interested in with your preferred filters pre-saved. This helps save valuable browsing time by creating saved searches for items you regularly search on Autotrader.
You can also enable regular notifications via email and/or push notifications for your saved search, so you’re notified when new vehicles are listed matching your search. This can help save time and means you’ll be the first to know when a vehicle that matches your needs is listed to Autotrader.
How to set up a saved search?
- Create an Autotrader account
- Start a new search
- Selecting your criteria using our ‘filter and sort’ option for features like budget, mileage or fuel type
- Click ‘save search’ located at the top of your search results and give it a name
- Switch on notifications for your new search
Click here to visit you're saved searches
How to get the most out of search?
To make the most of your saved search, turn on email and/or push notifications so you’re alerted regularly when new vehicles are listed that fit your criteria. This allows you to stay up to date with new listings, helping to find, enquire or reserve the vehicle you’re looking for quickly.
If you’re interested in a few vehicles you can set up multiple saved searches and it helps to give each a distinct name like “petrol hatchback under £5,000” rather than the generic, make and model titles.
Recommended filters
Consider what filters matter most to you before saving your search. Search filters help you narrow down your results, so you only see vehicles which match what you’re looking for. When searching for a vehicle you can use a variety of traditional filters such as make, model or engine size. The more filters you use the more specific your search will be. On average, people tend to use around 7 filters when searching for a vehicle. Using filters can help reduce search results to between 10-100 vehicles, making it quicker and easier to find relevant options from the thousands of vehicles advertised on our platform. If you’re not receiving enough search results from your saved search, try widening your criteria, such as increasing your search radius.
If you’re open to getting your vehicle delivered, you may be able to widen your search area and see more vehicles that fit your criteria. You can also complete more of the buying process online, including reservations, finance applications and part exchange details.
Try our search categories
Not sure exactly what vehicle you want yet? Try starting with a broader saved search such as “Family cars.” Our AI-powered search categories can support you if you’re not sure what type of vehicle you’re looking for, allowing you to explore cars based on your everyday lifestyle needs such as ‘big boot’ ‘family car’ or ‘cheap to run.’ To use our search categories, select the “I’m looking for” option in the filters.
Our most popular search categories include:
- Cheaper insurance
- Family cars
- First cars
- Small cars
- All-rounders
Click here to learn more about our AI powered search categories.
How to manage subscriptions and alerts
The subscriptions area in ‘My Account’ lets you manage your alerts and emails, so you can stay up to date. From here, you can manage marketing emails, including vehicle advice, news and reviews, and turn on alerts for your recently saved searches so you don’t miss out on new results.
If you are pausing the search or have found the vehicle you have been looking for, you can switch off your alerts at any time in your account. You can also delete any searches that are no longer relevant to you by removing them from your saved search alerts.
To learn more on how to delete a saved search click here.
How to change your saved search
Changed your mind about what you’re looking for? Switch up your search. With so many vehicles available, it’s normal for your search criteria to change as you explore your options. You might spot a car you like on the road, get recommendations from friends or family, or maybe you’ve had a lifestyle change and realise your current search no longer fits what you need in which case you can create a new saved search that better reflects what you’re looking for now.
To change your saved search, simply save a new search with all of your filters, switch on your alerts and delete or turn off your old search alerts to begin receiving your new results.
Manage your saved search alerts here.
What to do if you are not receiving alerts for my saved searches?
In order to received saved search alerts your account must be verified. A verification request is sent via email when you create an account.
If you’ve verified your email address but you’re still not receiving alerts, check they’re switched on in your account. Head to Autotrader and select ‘Sign in’ in the top-right corner, then go to ‘Account’. Under ‘Account settings’, select ‘Subscriptions’. Scroll down to ‘Saved search alerts’, where you can choose whether you want to receive notifications and how you’d like to receive them.
To make finding your next car hassle-free, make an account and set up a saved search to be the first to know about newly listed models which match what you’re looking for!