WeBuyAnyCar or Autotrader?
Where's the best place to sell your car online?
Here, we compare online marketplaces WeBuyAnyCar and Autotrader.
*All data is accurate as of 22/08/2025
What is WeBuyAnyCar?
WeBuyAnyCar was founded by brothers - Darren and Noel McKee. The online car buying service was set-up in 2006. It operates under BCA, its parent company, and in 2019 it was bought by the private equity firm TDR Capital.
WeBuyAnyCar uses an online valuation tool to tell you how much it’s willing to pay for your car followed by an on-site inspection and test drive, after which the final valuation price may change.
How is WeBuyAnyCar different to Autotrader?
Autotrader
Autotrader is the UK’s largest automotive platform, connecting you to private sellers and retailers across the country.
WeBuyAnyCar
WeBuyAnyCar has more than 500 branches that you can visit for in-person inspection and test drive, after which you can give your car in.
Choice of stock
On Autotrader, you can buy used cars, new cars, nearly-new-cars that are available to buy outright, or with options like car leasing, personal contract purchase (PCP) and hire purchase (HP) deals.
WeBuyAnyCar do not hold any stock.
Autotrader
On Autotrader, you can list your car for a private sale, or sell your car through car through part-exchange or directly to a dealer.
WeBuyAnyCar
On WeBuyAnyCar, you can get a valuation and sell your car by visiting of one of their branches.
Valuing your car
Both Autotrader and WeBuyAnyCar provide a free online car valuation to sellers. For your car’s valuation, both Autotrader and WeBuyAnyCar need your number plate and mileage to get you started.
Autotrader
Autotrader’s valuations are 100% data driven – we consider factors such as your vehicle's age, mileage, spec and optional extras, to give you the most up to date valuation we possibly can. Valuations on Autotrader are valid for seven days.
WeBuyAnyCar
WeBuyAnyCar asks for your car’s registration number and mileage to determine the value of the car. WeBuyAnyCar valuations are valid for four days – you can choose within this time period if you want to sell your car.
Autotrader
Autotrader aim at offering everyone trust and transparency when buying or selling a car. We are working towards making the automotive industry more accessible and exciting by offering vehicles beyond just cars such as vans, bikes, trucks, caravans, and services beyond just buying and selling like car leasing.
WeBuyAnyCar
WeBuyAnyCar buys thousands of cars through their platform every single week. They then sell the cars they buy to dealerships and retailers at a profit.
Service fee
On Autotrader, you can either advertise your car for a private sale, sell it as part-exchange or you can sell your car fast for free to our trusted network of dealers.
If you sell your car with WeBuyAnyCar, you’ll have to pay a transaction fee if your vehicle is valued above £99.99.
Autotrader
Autotrader offer a range of ad packages, from Basic through to our Ultimate package. The price to advertise depends on how much your car is worth, so you don’t have to pay over the odds to advertise a car that’s only worth a few hundred. Our full price list is available here.
WeBuyAnyCar
When selling your car to WeBuyAnyCar, if your car is valued below £99.99, no transaction fee is applicable. For cars valued between £100- £3,999.99, a transaction fee of £49.99 is applicable; cars valued between £4,000- £6,999.99 are charged £74.99; cars valued between £7,000- £9,999.99 are charged £84.99; cars valued between £10,000- £19,999.99 are charged £99.99, and cars valued at £20,000 or more are charged a transaction fee of £124.99 (as recorded on 22/08/25).