Motorway eyes profit in 2026 after investing in AI and payment tech

Motorway, a UK-based online marketplace for used cars, has reported a pre-tax loss of £37.3 million for the year ending December 31, 2024, on revenues of £66.4 million. The company attributes the loss to 'deliberate investment' in infrastructure and technology, including AI-guided imagery and its Motorway Pay platform. Despite the loss, which was larger than the £31.8 million posted in 2023, Motorway anticipates reaching profitability by mid-2026. The company projects revenue to grow by 18% to £78 million in 2025, with operating losses expected to fall by 37% to £22 million in the same year. Motorway has also secured a £25 million growth capital facility in 2025 to support its expansion. The company, co-founded by Tom Leathes, Harry Jones, and Alex Buttle in 2017, has previously raised significant funding, achieving unicorn status in 2021. In 2023, it processed £2.2 billion in used car sales and acquired Total Car Check. Motorway also recently entered into a two-year sponsorship deal with TNT Sports for its football coverage.