cinch

What cinch does

Cinch Cars Limited is a UK-based direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform for quality-checked used and new cars, founded in 2020 and operated as part of the Constellation Automotive Group. The platform enables customers to browse, finance, part-exchange, and purchase vehicles entirely online, with home delivery across mainland Great Britain or collection from 100+ UK locations. Cinch additionally operates car servicing and MOT at 100+ locations and distributes emerging brands such as BYD, Chery, OMODA, and JAECOO through a partnership with sister company Marshall Motor Group. Its core product is the online used car marketplace, supported by a 14-day money-back guarantee, a free 90-day warranty with RAC breakdown cover, and a minimum 6-month MOT on every vehicle.

The business model is multi-stream. Primary revenue is generated from the outright sale of used vehicles, with finance brokerage commissions (via Evolution Funding and Black Horse) and ancillary product commissions (extended warranty, alloy wheel, scratch and dent, tyre, and GAP insurance via Assurant and Car Care Plan) layered on top. A recurring service-revenue stream comes from car servicing and MOT, available to any make or model. Pricing is unit-based for vehicles, transaction-based for finance, and subscription-based for protection products, with extended warranty starting at £310 and tyre insurance starting at £276 across 36-month terms. The customer base is a long-tail of UK retail consumers seeking a transparent, online-first alternative to traditional dealership buying.

Cinch's underlying technology is a consumer-facing website and mobile app (iOS and Android) with no disclosed proprietary technology stack, no public API, and no documented AI/ML capabilities. Customer acquisition runs through paid digital advertising (Google, Facebook, TikTok, Bing, Amazon), SEO, email, and affiliate partnerships. The company is FCA-regulated via its appointed representative status with Marshall Motor Group (firm reference 930922), enabling it to broker credit and general insurance contracts.

Name

cinch

Legal name

Cinch Cars Limited

Website

https://cinch.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

cinch is a UK direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform selling quality-checked used and new cars online with home delivery, finance, part-exchange, and 100+ servicing locations, operated as part of Constellation Automotive Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Used Car Retail

NAICS

Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (524210)

akta.pro primary industry

Vehicle Protection & Add-on Product Financing (Warranties, GAP, Service Plans) (FSAKADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

GAP & Vehicle Protection Products (GAP Waiver/Insurance, Lease/Loan Protection) (FSAJALAC), Personal Auto Add-Ons & Endorsements (Roadside, Rental Reimbursement, OEM Parts) (FSAJAAAL)

Keywords

• Online used car retail
• Car finance brokerage
• Car servicing
• Extended car warranty
• Part exchange service

Headquarters

HQ city

Farnham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Used car sales: Cinch sells quality-checked used cars directly to consumers through its e-commerce platform. Cars are sold outright or with financing. The business earns margin on the sale price of vehicles.
2. Car finance brokerage: Cinch acts as a credit broker, introducing customers to finance providers including Evolution Funding and Black Horse. Revenue is generated through commissions from lenders based on fixed fees or fixed percentages of amounts borrowed.
3. Extended warranty and insurance products: Cinch offers cinchCover products including extended warranty, alloy wheel insurance, scratch and dent insurance, and tyre insurance through partner Assurant. Also offers GAP insurance via Car Care Plan. These are ancillary products purchased at checkout or within 90 days of vehicle delivery.
4. Car servicing: Cinch provides car servicing and MOT at 100+ locations across the UK for any make or model, whether bought from cinch or not. Starting from £129.95 per service.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

cinch is an online direct-to-consumer retailer of quality-checked used cars (and selected new cars via Marshall Motor Group), enabling UK consumers to browse, finance, part-exchange, and take delivery of vehicles entirely through the cinch website and mobile app. The platform combines a 9,275+ vehicle inventory, PCP and HP finance brokerage, free 90-day warranty with RAC breakdown cover, 14-day money-back guarantee, home delivery or collection from 100+ UK locations, and ancillary protection products (extended warranty, scratch and dent insurance, alloy wheel insurance, tyre insurance, GAP insurance, cosmetic protection, EV charging) underwritten by partners such as Assurant, Car Care Plan/Autotrust, Autoglym LifeShine, and Paua Tech. In-house car servicing and MOT from £129.95 is also offered at 100+ UK locations for any make or model.

Product overview

Cinch is an online used car marketplace enabling customers to buy quality-checked vehicles entirely online. The platform operates as a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform for cars, offering used cars as its primary product alongside new cars through partnership with Marshall Motor Group. The core offering combines the used car marketplace with flexible finance options (PCP and HP), part exchange services, and car servicing at 100+ UK locations. Cinch provides bundled protection through cinchCover (extended warranty, scratch and dent insurance, alloy wheel insurance, and tyre insurance) all underwritten by Assurant. Additional products include GAP insurance, cinchShield cosmetic protection, and cinchCharge EV charging. All used cars include free 90-day warranty, 14-day money-back guarantee, and minimum 6-month MOT. The sister brand webuyanycar serves customers looking to sell vehicles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• cinchCover: Extended warranty, alloy wheel insurance, scratch and dent insurance, and tyre insurance products provided by Assurant.
• cinchShield
• cinchCharge

Products and services

• Used Cars Quality-checked used cars sold online directly to UK consumers. Each car undergoes technician inspection, includes a minimum 6-month MOT, a free 90-day warranty with RAC breakdown cover, and a 14-day money-back guarantee. Available for outright purchase or with PCP/HP finance.
• New Cars Brand new vehicles sold via Marshall Motor Group on the cinch platform. Includes emerging brands such as BYD, Chery, OMODA, and JAECOO. Available to purchase or enquire about online, with collection from cinch or Marshall stores.
• Car Finance (PCP and HP) Flexible car finance arranged online, including Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP). Applications are processed 24/7 online and routed to lenders via the credit broker Evolution Funding, with Black Horse as a key lending partner.
• Finance Eligibility Check Soft credit search arranged via Evolution Funding that provides customers with an indication of their financial eligibility for car finance without affecting their credit score, available 24/7 online.
• Part Exchange Service Service that lets customers trade in their current vehicle and apply its value toward the purchase of a new car from cinch. Provides a free, instant online valuation and a guaranteed part-exchange price.
• Car Servicing and MOT Car servicing and MOT offered at 100+ cinch locations across the UK. Any make, model, or fuel type is accepted, including cars not purchased from cinch. Prices start from £129.95.
• 90-Day Warranty Free warranty automatically applied to every used car purchased from cinch. Covers mechanical and electrical components (excluding wear and tear and accidental damage) and includes RAC 24/7 roadside and at-home breakdown assistance, plus access to a 6,000+ garage repair network.
• 14-Day Money-Back Guarantee Customer protection offering that allows returns within 14 days of purchase. cinch collects the car and provides a full refund.
• Extended Warranty (cinchCover) Optional extended warranty covering mechanical and electrical repairs, provided by Assurant and administered by TWG Services Limited. Available in 12, 24, or 36-month terms starting at £310, paid in 10 monthly Direct Debit instalments. Includes RAC breakdown cover and a courtesy car up to £60/day for up to 7 days.
• Scratch and Dent Insurance (cinchCover) Insurance covering scratches, scuffs, and dents, with repairs carried out by mobile specialists. Part of the cinchCover suite from Assurant. Includes a 30-day cooling-off period and no excess on claims.
• Alloy Wheel Insurance (cinchCover) Insurance covering damaged alloy wheels, repaired or replaced by Revive! specialists with up to a £150 contribution per wheel if it cannot be repaired. 36-month term starting at £230, no excess, up to 18 claims.
• Tyre Insurance (cinchCover) Insurance covering tyre repairs and replacements. Replacements covered from £100 up to £500 per tyre, plus unlimited puncture repairs up to £50 each. 36-month term starting at £276 paid in 10 monthly instalments, no excess.
• GAP Insurance (Asset Protection Insurance) Asset Protection (GAP) insurance covering total loss scenarios, offered during the car purchase journey. Underwritten by Motors Insurance Company Limited and administered by Car Care Plan Limited under the Autotrust brand.
• cinchShield Cosmetic Protection Cosmetic paint and interior protection product provided by Altro Limited (trading as Autoglym LifeShine), offered as an optional add-on during the car purchase journey.
• cinchCharge EV Charging EV charging-related product provided by Paua Tech Limited, available for registration via the cinch platform, with promotional discount eligibility and customer status validation.
• Delivery and Collection Service Last-mile fulfilment option for purchased cars: home delivery to mainland Great Britain and the Isle of Wight, or collection from 100+ convenient UK locations, handled via a third-party delivery service provider.
• cinch Mobile App Mobile application enabling customers to browse quality new and used cars, shortlist and compare options, purchase a car via tap and swipe, book a service, and track key dates such as MOT deadlines.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90-day warranty included free with every used car purchase
• +3 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Marshall Motor GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributorcinch and Marshall Motor Group are part of the same corporate family (Constellation Automotive Group). Marshall sells new cars featured on cinch's platform, including BYD, Chery, OMODA, and JAECOO brands. Marshall has over 115 years of motoring experience and 100+ stores nationwide.
• AssurantcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal insurance and protection experts providing cinchCover products including extended warranty, alloy wheel insurance, scratch and dent insurance, and tyre insurance. Works with partners including RAC (breakdown), FixMyCar (repairs), and Revive! (scratch/dent repairs).
• RACcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides 24/7 roadside breakdown cover included with cinch's extended warranty. Covers breakdowns at home or on the road.
• FixMyCarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner of Assurant providing mechanical and technical repairs through their network of garages local to customers.
• Revive!minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner of Assurant providing scratch, dent, and alloy wheel repairs through mobile repair specialists.
• Altro Limited (Autoglym LifeShine)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides cinchShield product offered as an additional product/service during the car purchase journey.
• Paua Tech LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides cinchCharge product offered as an additional product/service during the car purchase journey.
• Car Care Plan Limited (CCP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdministers GAP insurance (Asset Protection Insurance) under the Autotrust brand, offered as an additional product/service through cinch.
• webuyanycarminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSister site for customers looking to sell their car. Referenced on cinch website as alternative for those not ready to buy.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights9 records

Direct peers

• Motorpoint: UK standalone used car retailer, operating both physical 'Car Superstores' and a national online/DTC platform. Most direct comparable to cinch's UK used car e-commerce model with home delivery and finance offerings.
• Carwow: UK online car marketplace that connects buyers with dealers for new and used cars via a configurator and dealer auction model. Same customer segment and digital-first funnel as cinch, though lead-gen rather than owned-retail.
• Cazoo: Former UK online used car retailer pursuing DTC delivery model with quality checks and finance. Closest historical direct competitor to cinch's proposition, though now restructured; useful benchmark for unit economics.

Broad incumbents

• Auto Trader: UK's largest digital automotive marketplace listing new and used vehicles from dealers and private sellers. Comparable to cinch in target customer and digital funnel, but operates as a listings platform rather than a retailer.
• Arnold Clark: Largest privately owned car retailer in the UK with extensive new and used car operations, finance, and aftersales. Comparable to cinch's product breadth (sales + finance + servicing) but operates predominantly physical dealerships.
• Pendragon: UK FTSE-listed car retailer with multiple franchise brands and used car operations. Comparable UK automotive retailer albeit traditional dealer-led model; recently undergone strategic restructuring.

Regional players

• Marshall Motor Group: Sister company within Constellation Automotive Group; 100+ UK franchise dealerships selling new and used cars including BYD, Chery, OMODA, JAECOO. Handles new car sales for cinch platform and is a directly comparable UK automotive retailer.
• webuyanycar: Sister brand within Constellation; UK car-buying service that provides instant online valuations and purchases vehicles directly from consumers. Closely comparable as part of the same group and feeds part-exchange inventory into cinch.

Others

• BCA Marketplace (BCA): UK's leading vehicle remarketing and logistics provider, owned by Constellation Automotive Group. Comparable as B2B adjacent that supplies used car inventory to the wider group including cinch.

Emerging players

• CarGurus UK: UK arm of CarGurus, a global online automotive marketplace with dealer listings and price-transparency tools. Comparable to cinch's digital car-buying research and discovery experience, though marketplace rather than retailer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cinchuk
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@cinch
• Facebookfacebook.com/cinchuk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cinchuk
• Instagraminstagram.com/cinchuk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about cinch