Auto Trader in brief
- Rank: #67 of 100 in UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026; #10 of 12 in Technology & Digital.
- WCRC Power Score: 64.00 out of 100.
- Founded: 1977, by John Madejski, Paul Gibbons and Peter Taylor (as Thames Valley Trader).
- Owner: Auto Trader Group plc, Manchester, England.
- Leadership: Nathan Coe, Chief Executive.
- Latest revenue: £624m revenue (FY2026, year to Mar 2026, +4.0%), group revenue of Auto Trader Group plc, as per company filings.
What makes Auto Trader powerful
Auto Trader is where many British car buyers start their search, and that audience gives the brand strong power over the market. Dealers pay to list because that is where buyers are, and the company runs at margins few UK companies match: operating profit was about 63% of revenue in its latest year.
In the year to March 2026 revenue rose 4% to £624 million and operating profit rose 4% to about £393 million. Under chief executive Nathan Coe, Auto Trader has added pricing data, valuation tools and Deal Builder, an online car-buying tool. Each new product makes dealers more dependent on its platform. With a brand known across generations, from the print magazine founded in 1977 to the app, Auto Trader has a position rivals have struggled to challenge.
Auto Trader began in 1977 as a printed classified magazine and published its last print edition in June 2013.
Why Auto Trader ranks #67
Auto Trader ranks 67th with a WCRC Power Score of 64.00, between Rightmove and ITV. Digital & financial is by far its strongest pillar at 76, reflecting a fully online marketplace with operating profit of £393m on revenue of £624m. Trust and Product & innovation score 64, and Positioning & recall 62. Sustainability & governance, at 60, is its weakest pillar and keeps it from climbing higher.
The Achilles' heel
Auto Trader's growth depends on dealers accepting price rises as margins in car retail tighten. The company admitted the rollout of Deal Builder hurt its figures, and it described a more challenging end to the year. Competition from other car-buying sites and social media marketplaces, plus a shift to electric and direct-to-consumer car sales, could erode its hold.
The 2026 story
Auto Trader reported results for the year to 31 March 2026 on 21 May 2026. Revenue rose 4% to £624 million and profit rose to nearly £393 million, but the company described a more challenging end to the year. It acknowledged that rolling out Deal Builder, its online car-buying tool, had held back its numbers. Nathan Coe remains chief executive.
Pillar profile
Provisional desk scores out of 100, for the WCRC Business Intelligence Unit to validate.
Versus its nearest rivals
Questions people ask
What rank is Auto Trader in WCRC's UK's Most Powerful Brands 2026?
Auto Trader ranks #67 of 100 in WCRC's UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026, with a WCRC Power Score of 64.00 out of 100.
What makes Auto Trader powerful?
Its large audience in UK car buying lets it raise prices to dealers while keeping very high profit margins.
What is Auto Trader's revenue?
£624m revenue (FY2026, year to Mar 2026, +4.0%), group revenue of Auto Trader Group plc, as per company filings.
Who founded and owns Auto Trader?
Auto Trader was founded in 1977 by John Madejski, Paul Gibbons and Peter Taylor (as Thames Valley Trader). It is owned by Auto Trader Group plc and based in Manchester, England.
Who leads Auto Trader?
Nathan Coe, Chief Executive.
What is Auto Trader's biggest challenge?
Dealer pushback over pricing and a slow rollout of its Deal Builder online buying tool weighed on growth.
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Key facts
| Brand | Auto Trader |
|---|---|
| Company / owner | Auto Trader Group plc |
| Headquarters | Manchester, England, United Kingdom |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Founder(s) | John Madejski, Paul Gibbons and Peter Taylor (as Thames Valley Trader) |
| Leadership | Nathan Coe, Chief Executive |
| Latest revenue | £624m revenue (FY2026, year to Mar 2026, +4.0%), group revenue of Auto Trader Group plc, as per company filings |
| Sector | Technology & Digital |
| Website | autotrader.co.uk |
| Home country | United Kingdom |
Sources
- Revenue figure published by Auto Trader Group plc
- Company website, official announcements and press releases
- Published interviews and statements by the leadership
- WCRC Business Intelligence Unit research: consumer sentiment, ratings and reviews, search demand, media and social data
