Learn more about the dealers on Motorway

Selling with Motorway is easy, as we instantly connect you to our network of verified dealers, ready to bid on your car. But behind every car bought on Motorway is a real person – and actually, quite a lot of them.
Our dealer network is made up of over 7,500 independent, franchise and supermarket dealers across the UK, all logged in, bidding and ready to buy. They’re all motor industry professionals who know cars inside out, can spot value a mile off, and are ready to make your car-selling process as easy as possible.
We also make sure every dealer is checked and verified to ensure your sale is in safe and secure hands.
Our network of dealers is the reason selling your car on Motorway is so fast and easy. Here is your quick guide to get to know our dealers, to help you understand the process across the whole journey.
- Independent dealerships
- Regional car supermarkets
- Approved franchise dealership
- What is the dealer verification process?
- Is there a process for dealing with “bad” dealers?
- FAQs
What kind of dealers buy through Motorway?
There are three main types of car dealerships that our verified dealers come from:
Independent dealerships
These are your local dealers that run their own, smaller forecourt or showroom. These dealers often seek out specific, high-demand models, or cars in great condition, to serve a more local customer base. Dealers who work at independent dealerships often have a genuine (and passionate!) interest or expertise in certain vehicle types, meaning even unique, niche or older vehicles are still highly valued.
Regional car supermarkets
These large-scale dealerships highlight Motorway’s ability to supply high-volume buyers, showing the consistent demand that your car is in when you list with us. These types of dealerships need continuous stock across a wide range of makes and models, to help maintain their large forecourts and fast inventory turnover. The need for consistent volume means dealers are quick to bid and are highly competitive, helping with your quick and easy sale.

Approved franchise dealership
These dealerships are franchised from a manufacturer, such as Ford, Audi or BMW, and so come with a high level of trust and quality. Although this limits the cars those dealerships can bid on, they are often willing to pay premium prices for models that meet their high standard. These dealers primarily seek high-quality, manufacturer-specific stock, so cars with a full service history or in great condition will be of greater appeal and can result in a great price.

What is the dealer verification process?
We have over 7,500 verified dealers bidding on Motorway – but what does “verified dealer” mean? All new dealers that join Motorway have to go through due diligence checks, to ensure they meet our eligibility criteria:
- A UK-based vehicle retailer with a physical trading premises
- Sufficient online presence, such as a fully functioning website or online marketplace profile
- Sufficient verified positive reviews on review platforms such as Trustpilot, AutoTrader and Google
- A UK company incorporated with Companies House for at least four months*
*NB: exceptions can be made for VAT-registered sole traders/partnerships. This is checked at the first opening of the dealership account, then formally, two years later. However, ad-hoc checks may also be present, particularly if any concerns are flagged.
Is there a process for dealing with “bad” dealers? Are any dealers suspended from Motorway?
Motorway has a dedicated Dealer Governance team that ensures every dealer on our platform is following our guidelines. The team reviews all complaints and any negative feedback about specific dealers, and will take appropriate action as a result. Any dealer who breaches our rules may have action taken against their account or face removal from the platform.

FAQs
Will dealers speak to sellers directly?
Yes! Once your car has been sold in the auction and your documents have been reviewed, you should typically hear from the dealer within two working days. While delays are rare, they can happen due to scheduling issues or miscommunication. That’s why we proactively check in with you to ensure everything is moving forward.
You’ll then have the chance to find a date and time that’s convenient for you for your collection. You’ll be given your dealer’s information after your offer is confirmed, so you can get in touch with any further questions.
If the dealer still doesn’t get in touch, don’t worry. We have alternative options we can explore with you to keep your sale on track. Our priority is making sure you have a smooth, stress-free experience.
Will the dealer come to collect the car themselves?
All dealers will reach out directly to confirm the best collection time. Some dealers will send a representative from their dealership to finalise the sale, collect your car, and make the payment.
Many dealers also use our in-house collection service, Motorway Move, which uses third-party drivers and collection services to help collect your car. In this case, a representative from the collection service will be the one to do the final handover.
Either way, a collection driver will come to your home or workplace at the arranged time to inspect, collect, and pay for the vehicle with fast payment.
Can the dealer change the sale price on the day?
The offer you receive for your car will be based on the information shared on your profile. If the details you’ve given are accurate, dealers are not permitted to renegotiate when they arrive to collect your vehicle. They should simply inspect the vehicle, check its condition, and then arrange to transfer the agreed sale price to your bank account.
If the vehicle has been misdescribed and some additional faults or defects have not been outlined in your vehicle’s profile, the dealer may choose to withdraw their offer or make a revised offer for the vehicle. To ensure fairness, dealers are obligated to provide photos to us of any undeclared damage to substantiate any price reductions.
If the revised offer proves unacceptable to you, we advise you to contact us so we can help you arrive at a suitable outcome.
Ready to get selling? Our network of over 7,500 verified dealers are ready and waiting to bid on your car, whatever its make, age, or condition. Head to Motorway to get your free, instant valuation today.
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice.