Tyler Hughes, feature writer at Atlas SEO, looks at the growing popularity of online car competitions.
Getting access to dream cars can sometimes be a challenge, especially if they are classics. Car competitions have skyrocketed in popularity with automotive enthusiasts, who hope to win a luxury or classic car without breaking the bank.
From low-cost entry options to tension-filled live draws, these competitions offer a way to win dream cars, cash prizes and more. Among the top operators in the UK market are BOTB and 7Days Performance.
In this review, I aim to enhance the fun of raffles by adding transparency, looking at the broad range of prizes and affordability.
I’ll provide a detailed review of 7Days Performance and BOTB, but if you prefer reading about them on their own pages, here are the links:
7Days Performance is a UK-based competition site that has gained significant attention for its high-value prizes and engaging competition format. The platform was launched in 2018 by Ross Youngman and George Sapay and give users the opportunity to own dream cars at a fraction of their value.
In this review of the platform, I dive into various aspects, including the site’s legitimacy, user experience, prizes and customer feedback.
Overview and legitimacy
7Days Performance operates by offering tickets for various competitions, with a focus on refurbished high-end cars, motorbikes, tech gadgets and cash prizes. The company has built a stellar reputation, with a Trustpilot rating that stands at 4.5 out of 5 from almost 4,000 reviewers.
On the official website, the company says it has dished out more than 1.69 million prizes so far and awarded slightly over £123 million in prizes.
The site is known to be legitimate, as evidenced by its transparency and high ratings among reviewers. You can watch draws live on Facebook to keep up with what is happening, and connect with the company on social media, where 7Days Performance regularly updates viewers with winner announcements and prize details.
So, what makes users flock here and rate it so highly? Let’s find out more.
Value for money
As with most raffles of this nature, the cost-effectiveness is centred around the low entry fees compared to the potential winnings one could get. In terms of assigning a value on how much it might cost, the official website says you only need as little as 79p to get started.
When pitted against its competitors, 7Days Performance shines through for its high-value prizes that other platforms do not often offer. For instance, at the time of writing (December 2024), 7Days just launched a 2023 Porsche 992 GT3 RS or an alternative of £250k.
In addition to the prizes, users can also participate in getting a discount or free entry for selected prizes. For instance, the site offers bundle deals that allow additional entries at a lower price, which potentially adds to the value you may receive if you are lucky.
The prizes
What do you stand a chance to win when playing the raffle on 7Days Performance? Let’s talk about prizes:
1. Cars and bikes
This category is the highlight of 7Days Performance, featuring a wide variety of high-value vehicles. They include luxury cars, sports cars and high-performance cars.
Examples include Audis, BMWs from the M series, classic/vintage offerings and more. As for bikes, you can find popular and well-known options from companies like Ducati.
2. Cash
The cash prize category offers substantial monetary rewards, which can be won separately. It is also worth noting that you can take a cash alternative if you win a high-value prize. You will often have the chance to swap your bike or car for cash.
There are also competitions where the prize is stated as cash, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand pounds.
3. Tech and luxury
In this category, one of the pieces on offer on the 7Days Performance website stands out: the Rolex GMT Master II “Rootbeer” watch. It’s not the only thing, though, as at the time of writing you can get lucky and bag the latest iPhones, a Meta Quest 3 VR 128 GB, a 55-inch or 85-inch Samsung 4K Smart TV and a PS5.
4. Instant wins
This category is meant to provide gratification much faster, allowing you to win prizes instantly without waiting for a draw. These can include smaller cash amounts, tech gadgets and other valuable items.
Site usability
The 7Days Performance website is simple to navigate, as it lays out all the categories and payment methods on the homepage, as well as featuring the most highlighted prize in contention.
From here, you can access pages that include the Homepage, How It Works, Winners and Shop. The website is highly responsive on devices of different screen sizes, uses the latest SSL certification to protect your connection, and loads quickly.
Winners
Winners are announced through live draws, conducted typically on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. They are streamed live on the official Facebook page and YouTube channel for transparency reasons.
To keep everything fair, the live draws use random number generators, which builds trust with users. The winners are contacted immediately via phone or email, with their names announced and posted on the website and social media.
You need proof of identity and other necessary documents to claim prizes and, depending on the prize, winners can either collect them in person or arrange for delivery. You can check out what it looks like to win as the platform posts winner stories to its YouTube channel.
BOTB is a UK-based competition company that has made a name for itself by offering a wide range of dream cars and lifestyle prizes. Participants can enter weekly competitions by buying tickets.
The prizes often include luxury vehicles, motorbikes, watches and cash. BOTB’s entire pitch is the principle on which it was founded: to give away as many “dream cars” as possible.
At the time of writing, BOTB has a Lamborghini Huracan as the main highlight of its home page, with a ticket price of just 69p.
Overview and legitimacy
The company was founded in 1999 and has since recorded more than 5.1 million winners, with more than £80 million in prizes won. The company prides itself on its car prizes, which include everything from Lamborghinis to Mini Coopers.
BOTB is widely regarded as a legitimate and trustworthy platform, with a Trustpilot rating of 3.8 out of 5 from more than 8,000 ratings. It is also worth noting that BOTB is listed on the London Stock Exchange, which requires adherence to strict regulatory guidelines and transparency.
Fans can watch live draws, which sometimes include surprises from the host, with detailed information about past winners. With a solid reputation that stretches back over more than two decades, BOTB has earned its legitimacy and trust among raffle players.
Value for money
It is worth knowing what BOTB offers you in return for your participation. To set itself apart, BOTB has a unique feature called Spot the Ball.
This component of the BOTB platform gamifies the experience by asking users to ‘Spot the Ball’ in a game reminiscent of Where’s Wally? Participants have to find a football in a photo. This introduces skill into the experience, making it more engaging than one that relies only on luck.
In addition, for the low price of a ticket, you can get lucky and win a dream car, among other prizes. These tend to be high value and diverse, to attract a wide range of participants.
The prizes
BOTB may be billed as a dream car-first website, but it offers exciting prizes across several categories. Let’s break them down:
1. Dream cars
BOTB is well-known for its stacked Dream Car competitions, where participants can win high-value vehicles that include luxury cars like the Porsche 911 Turbo S, Audi RS6 Avant, and Mercedes-AMG GT; sports cars like the BMW M4, Ford Mustang GT, and Nissan GT-R; electric vehicles including the Tesla Model S and Taycan Turbo; and SUV and 4x4s including the Range Rover Sport and Audi Q7.
2. Cash prizes
In addition to cars, BOTB also offers substantial cash prizes, allowing participants who win cars or other physical items to take cash instead. They have standalone cash prize competitions that include:
- Large cash prizes – these amount to £50k, £100K or more.
- Smaller cash prizes – the prizes range from £10k to £20k and are often part of the lifestyle competitions.
3. Lifestyle prizes
The lifestyle competition category includes a variety of high-end items and experiences. They include things like:
- Tech gadgets – the latest smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles and VR headsets.
- Luxury watches – brands like Rolex, Omega and TAG Heuer.
- Travel and experiences – exotic holidays, adventure trips and unique experiences like hot air balloon rides.
- Home and leisure – items such as fitness equipment, luxury furniture and home entertainment systems.
4. Instant wins
BOTB also offers instant win prizes, providing participants with immediate rewards that come in the form of instant cash amounts, tech and gadgets, and gift vouchers.
Site usability
The site has the familiar layout of a competition platform, with massive highlights for the most coveted prizes, as well as descriptions of the week’s offers.
Scrolling down to the bottom, you can access all sorts of resources, including competitions, winner lists, testimonials, terms of service, the loyalty club, affiliate programme, apps and more.
The pages load quickly and information displays properly on both mobile and desktop devices across iOS and Android.
Winners
BOTB has a well-organised and transparent process for handling and announcing winners. The company is known for making surprise visits to winners of the cars. Christian Williams, the BOTB presenter, personally visits the winners to deliver the good news. These visits are recorded and shared on the site and social media.
For other competitions, winners are usually told via a surprise video call from Christian.
The company shares its winners and their testimonials on its website, with full names, draw dates, prize details and videos to accompany them.
Low-odds car competitions explained
If you have ever dreamed of owning a luxury car, you might have wondered how feasible that may be. The prices are always going up on the best options, which leaves winning one in a competition as a viable choice.
Low-odds car competitions are designed to allow participants to win brand new and refurbished cars using limited ticket numbers and unique skill-based requirements.
For instance, 7Days Performance sells tickets at prices starting as low as 79p, offering accessible opportunities to win fantastic prizes.
Similarly, over on BOTB’s Spot the Ball, users are required to have an element of skill, ensuring that the competitions are not based solely on luck.
Why people choose low-odds car competitions
Apart from the chance one might win a classic or vintage car by playing in these raffles, there are several other reasons people enter these competitions:
1. Affordable entry
The entry fees for these competitions are usually quite affordable, ranging from a few pence to tens of pounds. This makes prizes such as high-value cars accessible to participants who cannot buy them outright.
2. Better winning chances
Low-odds car competitions limit the number of entries, which significantly increases each participant’s chance of winning compared to traditional lotteries or sweepstakes.
3. Exciting prizes
The prizes are often high-value desirable vehicles such as luxury cars, sports cars and vintage cars. This adds to the element of excitement and aspiration, as participants could win their dream car for a fraction of the price.
4. Transparency
Transparency is key to fairness and reputation. Reputable platforms publish detailed terms and conditions, ensuring participants understand entry rules, prize claims and draw mechanisms. Look for features like live-streamed draws and independent audits.
5. Community and engagement
These competitions can create a sense of community among participants. Many platforms are active on social media (Facebook, Instagram, X etc), where participants share experiences, discuss strategies and witness wins.
6. Convenience
The rise of online platforms has made it easier than ever to participate in these competitions. Participants only need a phone or desktop with an internet connection.
7. Investment potential
Winning a high-value car can also be seen as an investment. Some participants enter these competitions with the intention of selling the car if they win, potentially turning a profit.
How do dream car competitions work?
For those who have never participated in this kind of competition, knowing how these competitions work will help give you the confidence to try it out for yourself. Always check the platform’s terms and conditions for details on eligibility, age, restrictions and any additional requirements before entering.
Here are the steps:
1. Go to the website
Competition platforms like 7Days Performance and BOTB have official sites where they post everything you need to know. They also design user-friendly interfaces where you can browse available prizes.
2. Select your dream prize
The platforms allow you to pick the prize you want to compete for. These prizes often include other items, such as tech gadgets, to cater to everyone’s taste.
3. Buy your ticket(s)
Tickets can cost anywhere from a few pence, such as with 7Days Performance, to several pounds, depending on the prize and odds of winning it.
4. Enter the draw
Participation is done through ticket purchases or playing a skill-based game like Spot the Ball.
5. Watch the live draw
Platforms like 7Days Performance do live draws on social media sites like Facebook, ensuring transparency in the process.
6. Claim your prize
If you are one of the lucky winners, you will be notified immediately, with options for cash alternatives or other arrangements that fully compensate you.
Free entry car competitions
One of the best parts of these platforms is the potential to enter for free through promotions or legal free-entry options. Always check the terms and conditions for how to claim free entries and ensure you meet all requirements.
While not all platforms offer free entries, those that do ensure that the competitions are an easy way to leverage luck without financial commitment.
Continuing with our examples, BOTB offers weekly giveaways that occasionally feature free tickets for certain prizes, while 7Days Performance promotions offer exclusive free entry opportunities via social media campaigns.
While free entry competitions are highly competitive, they provide an accessible way for most people to join in the fun. It is important to always check out the terms and conditions before joining to ensure you have all the important information.
The rising trend of vintage and classic car competitions
I have, as have other industry observers, noted the growing trend of vintage and classic car competitions in recent years. These competitions, often held at car shows, auctions and online platforms, attract enthusiasts and collectors who appreciate the historical and aesthetic value of classic cars.
Some of the key factors driving this popularity include:
Nostalgia and cultural value
Some car enthusiasts agree that they don’t build cars like they used to anymore. Many enthusiasts value vintage and classic cars that represent a bygone era and are standout cultural icons seen in ads, TV shows and movies.
Investment potential
Classic cars are seen as a valuable and safe investment, as the cars tend to appreciate over time. According to Hagerty, a leading classic car insurer, the classic cars market has shown consistent growth over the past 10 years.
Community and events
The classic car community is vibrant and active, with numerous events, such as car shows, rallies and auctions that provide enthusiasts with a chance to showcase their cars, share stories and connect with people who share their passions.
These are not, by any means, all the drivers of growth in the popularity of vintage and classic car competitions, as I can also include auction sales and the rising value of bids, the expansion of highly sought-after models and demographic shifts to the mix.
With the rise of online platforms that offer you the chance to win one of these cars, raffles have revolutionised how competitions are conducted. They make it easier for you to participate from the comfort of your home, with the added bonus of transparency in the draw.
FAQs
Are car competitions legitimate?
Yes, as long as they are conducted by reputable platforms like BOTB and 7Days Performance. Look for transparency markers like live draws, random number generators, and audits. Always review the terms and conditions for specifics such as entry rules and winner notification processes.
What are the odds of winning?
Odds vary based on the number of tickets sold and the competitive format. Low-odds competitions typically have fewer participants, increasing your chances.
Can I enter one of these competitions for free?
Some platforms provide free entry options that are part of promotional campaigns or legal requirements to provide a no-purchase pathway.
What happens if I win?
Winners are usually notified immediately after the draw. Prizes are delivered within a specified time frame, with options for cash alternatives in some cases, especially involving large prizes like cars, vehicles and other high-value items.
