Cars24 posts Rs 651 Cr adjusted revenue in H1 FY26; cuts burn by 36%

Digital automotive marketplace Cars24 reported an 18% year-on-year rise in adjusted net revenue to Rs 651 crore in the first half of FY26, even as overall vehicle transaction GMV remained largely flat, according to its performance update.

During the period, Cars24 reduced its adjusted EBITDA loss by 36% YoY to Rs 162 crore. The improvement was led by disciplined cost management and increased automation, with operating expenses staying broadly flat at Rs 719 crore despite revenue growth.

According to the company, Vehicle transaction GMV declined 5% YoY to Rs 3,731 crore in H1 FY26. Cars24 increasingly funnelled vehicles toward retail transactions instead of wholesale, prioritising profitability over volumes. Its retail GMV grew 21% YoY to Rs 2,009 crore, which accounted for over 50% of total transaction GMV, while retail margins expanded to 19.3% during the period, the company added in its performance update.

As per the company, it facilitated nearly 85,000 car transactions across India, the UAE, and Australia in H1 FY26. Cars24 is also on track to cross 1.8 lakh car transactions in FY26.

Financing, which includes loans disbursed through the platform, rose by 38% YoY to Rs 1,637 crore during the half-year. In parallel, vehicle ownership services, including insurance, inspection reports, buyback and compliance products, saw GMV surge nearly 19x YoY to Rs 94 crore.

According to the company, its international operations also strengthened. The UAE business turned profitable at the adjusted EBITDA level, reporting a profit of Rs 9 crore in H1 FY26, with retail margins reaching around 24%. Australia also posted about 20% YoY growth in GMV and over 22% growth in adjusted net revenue.

Cars24 invested Rs 95 crore in technology during H1 FY26, with GenAI now powering pricing, inspections, document verification, and customer calls at scale. AI-led automation helped reduce inspection time by nearly 30% and kept costs in check as volumes scaled.

Cars24 expects to cross the adjusted net revenue of Rs 750 crore in H2 FY26, implying around 35% YoY growth, as it continues to prioritise earnings quality over headline GMV growth.