# What Car? — The car buyer's champion

> Independent car reviews, buying advice, news, and deals for consumers. (iPhone/iPad app by Haymarket.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/what-car/id494854250 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Haymarket](https://appshunter.io/developer/382580593)
- Category: Reference, Magazines & Newspapers
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.50/5 from 10 App Store ratings · 68 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 22 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2012-03-08
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/what-car/id494854250/reviews.md

## What is What Car??

What Car? has been the car buyer's champion for over 40 years - delivering expert, independent advice through detailed new and used car reviews, car buying and owning advice, reliability surveys, car and industry news, group tests, and the very latest car deals and financing options. Enjoy reading issues on your mobile and tablet, with a specially designed mobile edition making reading on mobile devices even easier!

---------------------------------------------- 

This is a free app download. Within the app users can purchase the current issue and back issues. 

Subscriptions are also available within the application. A subscription will start from the latest issue. 
 
-The subscription will renew automatically unless cancelled more than 24 hours before the end of the current period. You will be charged for renewal within 24 hours of the end of the current period, for the same duration and at the current subscription rate for the product. 
-You may turn off the auto-renewal of subscriptions through your Account Settings, however you are not able to cancel the current subscription during its active period. 
-Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase and any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when a subscription to that publication is purchased. 
-If a subscription offers a free trial, at the end of the trial period, you will be charged the full price of the subscription. You may cancel a subscription during its free trial period via the subscription settings on your iTunes account. This must be done 24 hours before the end of the subscription period to avoid being charged.
 
Users can register for/ login to a pocketmags account in-app. This will protect their issues in the case of a lost device and allow browsing of purchases on multiple platforms. Existing pocketmags users can retrieve their purchases by logging into their account. 
 
We recommend loading the app for the first time in a wi-fi area so that all issue data is retrieved. 
If your app will not load past the splash page after a first install or an update, please delete and reinstall the app from the App Store 
 
Help and frequently asked questions can be accessed in-app and on pocketmags. 
If you have any problems at all please do not hesitate to contact us: help@pocketmags.com 

-------------------- 

You can find our privacy policy here: 
http://www.pocketmags.com/privacy.aspx 
 
You can find our terms and conditions here: 
http://www.pocketmags.com/terms.aspx

## Key features

- New and used car reviews
- Car buying and owning advice
- Reliability surveys
- Car and industry news
- Group tests
- Latest car deals and financing

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| What Car? Magazine | $39.99 | per year |
| What Car? Magazine | $19.99 | per 6 months |
| What Car? Magazine | $4.99 | per 3 months |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| December 2016 (id:827045) | $6.99 | one-time |
| July 2016 (id:827037) | $6.99 | one-time |
| June 2016 (id:827035) | $6.99 | one-time |
| April 2016 (id:827031) | $6.99 | one-time |
| Awards 2016 (id:827027) | $6.99 | one-time |
| March 2016 (id:827029) | $6.99 | one-time |
| February 2016 (id:827025) | $6.99 | one-time |
| Jul-24 (pp:1039233) | $5.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of What Car??

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 👍 Excellent value for money
- 👍 Informative content
- 👍 Journalism enjoyable to read
- 👍 Much improved after switch to Pocketmags
- 👍 Works perfectly on iPad

**Cons**

- 🐛 Unreliable subscriptions
- 🐛 Primitive login process
- 🔋 Huge energy hog
- 🐛 Poor reading experience on Mac
- 🐛 Small magazine window on Mac
- 🐛 Charged but not able to download
- 🐛 Unable to download recent editions
- 🐛 No response from customer service
- 🐛 Paying for service not received
- 🐛 Problems accessing previous titles
- 🐛 Magazines cost more than stated
- 🐛 Problems downloading content
- 🐛 Latest edition not appearing
- 🐛 Orientation issues
- 🐛 Loads of errors
- 🐛 Cannot open or download purchased issue
- 🐛 October issue same as September
- 🐛 Unable to download latest magazine
- 🐛 Digital version published later than print
- 🐛 Subscription not downloading
- 🐛 No customer support
- 🐛 Constantly crashes
- 🐛 Cannot buy any editions
- 🐛 Login issues
- 🐛 False pricing claims
- 🐛 App doesn't update magazines
- 🐛 Pointless app for NZ
- 🐛 Reading in portrait difficult
- 🐛 Downloadable pages with no linking
- 🐛 Subscriptions not cancellable through app
- 🐛 Bizarre and awful view
- 🐛 Paid for mag but no access
- 🐛 No method of contact
- 🐛 App doesn't work
- 🐛 Cannot see digital magazines
- 🐛 Content disappears after purchase
- 🐛 Annoying browser link
- 🐛 Forced to register
- 🐛 Downloaded content deleted
- 🐛 Cheap digitised copy
- 🐛 Lost all existing subscription
- 🐛 Buyers guide fraction of print info
- 🐛 Navigation system misses mark
- 🐛 Light on content compared to print
- 🐛 Clunky, not maximised for retina
- 🐛 Words and photos not sharp
- 🐛 Total crap
- 🐛 Doesn't show or download current issue
- 🐛 Subscription expires soon
- 🐛 Not an easy read
- 🐛 Too many swipes
- 🐛 Paying for something you can't use
- 🐛 App recognizes subscription but asks for money
- 🐛 Blurry text
- 🐛 Keep reinstalling
- 🐛 Failed to cancel
- 🐛 Pages don't move smoothly
- 🐛 Text too small
- 🐛 Full of ads
- 🐛 Unreadable and crashes
- 🐛 No zoom or pan
- 🐛 Locks up
- 🐛 Less information than paper copy
- 🐛 Low resolution images
- 🐛 No opportunity to zoom
- 🐛 Cannot read without magnifying glass
- 🐛 Less info, no data sheets
- 🐛 Older versions unreadable
- 🐛 Text unreadable
- 🐛 Previous copies useless
- 🐛 Landscape view only
- 🐛 Cannot zoom to read
- 🐛 Lost back issues
- 🐛 New version doesn't recognize subscription
- 🐛 App doesn't work

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Re-enter credentials with each new issue
- App consumes excessive energy on Mac
- Magazine page always in portrait orientation on Mac
- App shows magazine in a small window on Mac
- Unable to download magazine issues
- Subscription issues not being recognized
- App crashes frequently
- Login issues preventing purchase
- In-app purchase prices are incorrect
- App does not update magazines
- Issues disappear after app update
- Downloaded content deleted after update
- App forces registration
- Previous issues become unreadable after update
- App does not work on iPad
- Cannot open or download purchased issues
- Link to seller no longer available
- Customer service unresponsive
- App freezes or locks up
- Subscription not recognized by new version
- Lost back issues after update
- App only works in landscape mode
- Cannot zoom in to read text
- Interactive features not working
- Media servers not beefed up
- App crashes constantly
- Reinstalling required to read issues
- Issues not available for purchase
- Purchased issues disappear from Newsstand
- Buyer's Guide tables missing
- Email requests unanswered
- App doesn't work at all
- Cannot see digital magazines
- Link to app support does not connect
- Telephone numbers unobtainable

**Most requested features**

- Support for TouchID/FaceID login
- Allow full screen usage on Mac
- Improve Mac app reading experience
- Allow zooming
- Provide customer support
- Allow subscription cancellation through app
- Improve navigation system
- Add more content to digital version
- Allow portrait view
- Fix blurry text
- Make text readable on smaller screens
- Include all info from printed mag
- Restore previous versions of the app
- Add interactive features
- Allow users to zoom
- Make text larger
- Offer a digital version cheaper than print

## Recent user reviews (10 of 68)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/what-car/id494854250/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Subscriptions unreliable!

*2022-08-20*

Why is it that with each new issue I am obliged to re-enter my credentials before I can access the mag?   I can see that it needs me to, effectively, login, but why is it so primitive?  I can login to my banking and other apps using TouchId or (on my iPhone) FaceId, so why not this app too?  Shoddy!

### 1/5 — Absolutely awful, and a huge energy hog

*2021-08-14*

FIrst, this app is a HUGE waste of energy.  My M1 MacBook Air is normally completely cold as it sits on my knee, whatever I run.  With this app running it very quickly became so hot I had to lift it up to avoid being scorched!  That might be OK for an app doing some serious work, but is absolutely unforgiveable in an app that does rather less (and does it a great deal worse!) than the Preview app.  For that reason alone I would recommend you don't bother downloading this app.

But that is just a part of the problem.  This Mac app doesn't make reading the magazine a nice experience, even though the iPad app version is not too bad.  If this is the "enhanced reading experience" bragged about in the App Store page, then I struggle to imagine how dreadful it must have been before being improved! 

The magazine page is, of course, always in  portrait orientation, whereas my Mac's screen is always landscape, , so this is always going to be a compromise.  Yet even in full-screen mode,  instead of letting you use at least the full height of your Mac's screen, the app shows the magazine in a small window, only about 2/3 the height of the screen,  with everything else black surround.   It's like trying to read a newspaper through the wrong end of a telesccope - or, if you magnify the text, a keyhole - bonkers!  If you want to read the magazine electronically, do it on your iPad - it's a much less frustrating experience!

### 1/5 — Charged but not able to download

*2021-05-04*

I am not one to write a review but I am so frustrated with this app. I have tried on numerous occasions to download the latest magazine but apart from being charged each time, I am never able to download it. Not great!

### 5/5 — Excellent value and highly informative

*2021-01-30*

I bought a couple of magazines at the tail end of last year and found them to be excellent. There’s loads of useful info and the journalism is enjoyable to read as well as being informative. It was a no brainier therefore to become a digital subscriber...£8.99 for six months is excellent value for money. Try it yourself, you just might surprise yourself.

### 5/5 — Much improved

*2020-10-17*

The new app (October 2020) is much improved after switching from Pixelmags to Pocketmags. I can now download and read the issues going back to when I first started to subscribe.

### 1/5 — Another dissatisfied customer

*2020-10-14, version 26.4.0*

Like others I have been a subscriber for a couple of years, and now am not able to download the most recent edition without a further payment of £2.99, despite me recently resubscribing for a year. Also no response from customer service, so not happy.

### 4/5 — Unreliable with no support

*2020-09-27*

Fine while it worked but magazine downloads have stopped working halfway through my annual subscription and Pixelmags support aren’t responding, so I’m paying for a service that I’m not receiving.  I’d give no stars if this were possible.

### 1/5 — Problems

*2020-09-26, version 25*

Problems accessing previous titles. Magazines cost £2.99, not £1.99 as stated. Problems downloading content.

Just get the subscription on Kindle - much more reliable than this app.

### 1/5 — More problems again

*2020-08-23, version 25*

Can’t see latest edition - does not appear for downloading. Same with Autocar. What Car subscription runs out in May 2021 so I ought to be able to download

### 4/5 — (Very) Late issue.

*2020-07-13, version 25*

Great magazine, but where is the August 2020 digital issue? I've emailed you but had no response. Come on guys, you're better than this.

## Frequently asked questions about What Car?

### What kind of information does this app provide?

This app offers expert, independent advice for car buyers. It includes detailed new and used car reviews, guidance on buying and owning vehicles, reliability surveys, industry news, group tests, and information on car deals and financing options.

### How can I access the content in the app?

The app itself is free to download. Within the app, users can purchase individual current and back issues. Subscriptions are also available, which will start from the latest issue and renew automatically unless cancelled.

### Is this app compatible with my device?

The app is designed for mobile and tablet devices, with a specially optimized mobile edition for easier reading on smaller screens. It is recommended to load the app for the first time in a Wi-Fi area to ensure all issue data is retrieved.

### What are the benefits of subscribing?

A subscription provides access to ongoing content and ensures you receive the latest information. Subscriptions renew automatically but can be managed through your account settings. Existing pocketmags users can retrieve their purchases by logging into their account.

### What if I have trouble with the app?

If you encounter any issues, such as the app not loading past the splash page, it is recommended to delete and reinstall the app. Help and frequently asked questions are available in-app and on pocketmags, or you can contact their support team directly.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 7.4.11 — 2026-02-04

Improved app and reader stability

We always love to hear from you - please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@pocketmags.com with any feedback or if you require assistance

### 7.4.10 — 2025-12-11

Improved app and reader stability

We always love to hear from you - please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@pocketmags.com with any feedback or if you require assistance

### 7.4.7 — 2025-07-12

NEW - Article Audio available on selected issues
Improved app and reader stability

We always love to hear from you - please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@pocketmags.com with any feedback or if you require assistance

### 7.2.10 — 2024-07-25

New and improved app homepage
New subscription page
My Account controls
Numerous bug fixes and improvements

We're here to help! Please contact help@pocketmags.com with any questions or feedback.

### 7.2.2 — 2023-07-07

New and improved app homepage
New subscription page
My Account controls
Numerous bug fixes and improvements

We're here to help! Please contact help@pocketmags.com with any questions or feedback.

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## More apps by Haymarket

- [Autocar](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/autocar/id489475304)
- [Classic & Sports Car](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/classic-and-sports-car/id495925305)
- [ECB Programme](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ecb-programme/id663527315)
- [Car Name Game by Autocar](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/car-name-game-by-autocar/id847443096)
- [Car News Feed by Autocar](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/car-news-feed-by-autocar/id868110011)

All apps by Haymarket: https://appshunter.io/developer/382580593

## Related topics

[australian new car buyer](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/australian-new-car-buyer) · [my haymarket](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/my-haymarket) · [haymarket media](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/haymarket-media) · [haymarket](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/haymarket)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*