Cazoo

In 2018, Cazoo was founded with a clear purpose: to transform the way people buy used cars in the UK. For decades, purchasing a pre-owned vehicle had been a stressful experience filled with uncertainty, hidden problems, and dealers that consumers couldn't trust. Alex Chesterman, a seasoned British entrepreneur who had already built successful ventures like LoveFilm and Zoopla, identified a fundamental gap in the market - a lack of transparency and consumer confidence in the used car buying process.

The company launched as an online car retailer, aiming to bring the same simplicity and trust to car buying that customers enjoyed when shopping on other e-commerce platforms. Cazoo quickly gained traction, scaling its inventory to thousands of vehicles and expanding its presence across Europe with launches in France and Germany. The brand invested heavily in building consumer awareness, achieving over 60% recognition in the UK market. However, the competitive landscape and operational challenges of the online car retail model led to significant difficulties. In June 2024, Cazoo entered administration and was subsequently acquired by Motors.co.uk Limited, a major UK automotive classifieds business.

Following the acquisition, Cazoo was relaunched as a used car search marketplace in 2025, shifting from owning inventory to operating as a platform connecting buyers with dealers nationwide. Today, Cazoo offers comprehensive search tools, expert car guides, vehicle reviews, and pricing information, helping consumers find their perfect car with confidence while enabling automotive retailers to reach millions of potential buyers across the UK.