autotrader.com

Autotrader.com was founded in 1997. It was derived from Auto Trader magazine, first published by Stu Arnold in 1973. Freelance photographers would travel to the address of a customer to photograph their vehicle.

Arnold sold the business in 1988 to Cox Enterprises, an Atlanta-based media chain. In 2010, Providence Equity Partners purchased a 25% interest, becoming a minority owner in the company. Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers is also an investor.

In 2010, a tool was added to the website to get an instant trade-in offer.

In August 2016, Cox Automotive bought out News Corp Australia's 55% stake in CarsGuide, forming the new automotive venture, Cox Automotive Australia. This eventually led to the launch of the Autotrader.com.au website in October 2018, alongside the Australian arm of Kelley Blue Book. In May 2020, eBay Classifieds group acquired Cox Media, which is the subsidiary of Cox Automotive that runs Australian Autotrader.

Autotrader.com offers services that help consumers buy cars, sell cars, or research car purchases. For buyers, the site offers listings of new and used vehicles for sale from dealers and private sellers. It can search for cars through categories: make and model, price range, style, drive type (automatic or manual), engine type, color (exterior and interior), mileage and number of doors.

Those wishing to sell to a dealer can ask for offers from their local area. After taking their car to the dealer to verify its condition, the owner may then sell for the offered price, either as cash or trade-in value. Sellers may purchase an ad package with a description, and upload up to 30 photos.

The firm has an editorial team that reviews new and used cars and provides tips and advice via videos, articles, and social media content. The firm offers its products and services online and on its iPhone, Android, Windows 8, and iPad apps.

The firm owns and operates AutoTraderClassics.com, an online marketplace of classic, antique, and specialty automobiles.