Winning a car is the dream behind most UK prize competitions — and it really does happen regularly. If you’re a petrolhead (we are too — our owners run the 2025 British Superbike champion team), here’s everything worth knowing before you enter a car competition.
How a car competition works
- Pick the car — check the model, year, mileage and spec on the competition page.
- Choose your tickets and answer the skill question.
- Wait for draw night — or win something sooner if the competition has instant-win prizes.
- Watch the live draw — Nitrous car winners are picked live on our live page.
- Check the entry list — the complete list goes up on the results page.
- Collect your car — the team contacts the winner directly to arrange delivery or collection.
What to check before you enter
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Ticket cap | The maximum number of tickets sets your best possible chance |
| Cash alternative | Some competitions offer a cash sum instead of the car — check the page |
| Car details | Model, year, mileage, spec and condition should be clear |
| Draw date | Know when the draw happens and whether it's live |
| Entry list | A transparent site publishes every entry after the draw |
| Handover | How and where the car is delivered or collected |
Cash alternatives
Many car competitions offer a cash alternative — useful if you’d rather have the money, or the car doesn’t suit you. Where one is offered, the amount is shown on the competition page, so check before you enter rather than after you win.
Insurance, tax and running costs
Winning the car is free, but owning it isn’t. Before entering for a high-performance car, think about insurance (some cars are expensive to insure for younger drivers), road tax and running costs. If those would be a stretch, a cash alternative or a different prize might suit you better.
How car prizes are handed over
At Nitrous, main competition winners are contacted directly after the draw. We confirm identity and age, then arrange delivery or collection of the car. Main draw prizes are handed over directly by the team rather than credited to your account.
Finding the best car competitions
- Look at the cap, not just the price. A small competition for a modest car can give a much better chance than a huge one for a supercar.
- Mix in instant wins. Car competitions with instant prizes give you something to win on the way.
- Use the free route if you want to. A postcard entry goes into the same draw on equal terms — see our free postal entry guide.
- Check the winners. A long list of real car winners on a site’s results page is the best sign it delivers.
Browse every car currently on offer on our car competitions page, or read how to improve your chances.
Find your next car. Browse the live competitions, watch a live draw or check past winners and entry lists. 18+ UK only. Please play responsibly — see our responsible play page.