Selling your old car used to be a hassle, relying on classified ads, car shows, or expensive auctions. Thankfully, the digital era has changed that. Today, you can list vehicles on platforms like Facebook, eBay, or specialized sites like Kelley Blue Book.
But for classic, luxury, or enthusiast cars, online auctions often bring in higher returns, and that’s where Cars & Bids stands out. This rising platform is gaining attention for its curated selection of unique vehicles and an active community of car lovers.
How does it stack up against competitors? Is cars and bids legit? How does it work? In this Cars & Bids review, we cover all that and more. Let’s dive in.
Key Highlights
- Cars & Bids is considered a trusted platform due to positive user reviews, a strong enthusiast community, and a user-friendly, transparent auction process.
- Selling on Cars & Bids involves a quick submission, low listing fees, and direct deal finalization between seller and buyer.
- Buying on Cars & Bids involves registering to bid, researching listings, placing binding bids, and finalizing payment and pickup if you win.
- Cars & Bids competes with platforms like Peddle, eBay, and Bring a Trailer by offering free listings, low fees, and a niche focus on modern enthusiast cars.
Exactly What is Cars & Bids?
Cars & Bids is one of the most popular online car auction sites focused on interesting, fun, and sporty vehicles from the 1980s to the 2020s. Created by automotive YouTuber Doug DeMuro in 2020, the platform caters specifically to modern enthusiast cars, a niche previously underserved.
Is Cars & Bids Legitimate?
Yes, Cars & Bids is a legitimate online car auction platform, particularly popular among automotive enthusiasts seeking modern, unique, or enthusiast vehicles from the 1980s to the present day.
Why is Cars & Bids Legitimate?
Positive User Experiences: Many users have reported successful transactions on the platform. Customer reviews on Nick’s car site say that Cars & Bids offers a better interface, quicker turnaround times, and lower fees compared to some competitors, making it an attractive option for selling enthusiast vehicles.
Strong Community Engagement: The platform fosters a community of car enthusiasts who actively discuss and engage with listings, adding a layer of transparency and trust to the auction process.
User-Friendly Interface: Cars & Bids is praised for its intuitive and user-friendly interface, which simplifies the buying and selling process for users.
Focus on Modern Enthusiast Vehicles: Unlike traditional auction platforms that cater to a broader or older vehicle range, Cars & Bids targets modern classics and enthusiast models, making it the go-to place for niche buyers and sellers.
Trustpilot Reviews Reflect Reliability: Customer reviews on Trustpilot describe Cars & Bids as a smooth, fair, and efficient auction experience, with several praising the platform’s transparency and supportive seller team. While there are occasional complaints, the majority of users express satisfaction with the overall process.
What Do Cars & Bids Offer?
Cars & Bids simplifies the car buying and selling process with a user-friendly platform, low fees, and no listing costs for sellers. Buyers get full vehicle info upfront, and sellers can quickly list cars with minimal hassle. Key benefits include:
- Low fees.
- Free vehicle history reports.
- Fast, easy listings.
- Featured vehicle highlights.
- Chance of a Doug DeMuro review.
- Active community of enthusiasts.
- Simple, accessible platform for all users.
How does Cars and Bids work?
Buying or selling a car are both different processes at Cars & Bids. You can browse their collection without signing up. Once you decide to sell or buy a car, the platform will require registration.
How Does Cars and Bids’ Selling Process Work
How Selling Works on Cars & Bids
Cars & Bids makes the car-selling process simple, transparent, and seller-focused. Here’s a quick overview of how it works:
1. Submit Your Vehicle
Submit a brief description, VIN, and photos for free. You can set a reserve price or run a no-reserve auction for more buyer interest. The team reviews your submission within one business day.
2. Prepare Your Listing
Once accepted, you’ll provide more details like ownership and service history, plus high-quality photos. Listing fees are $89 for first-timers and $49 for returning sellers.
3. Auction Scheduling
After final approval, your auction is scheduled and goes live.
4. Engage with Buyers
Sellers are encouraged to answer questions and post updates during the auction—active participation helps boost final sale prices.
5. Auction Ends
If the reserve is met, you’ll get the buyer’s contact info. If not, the team may help negotiate with top bidders.
6. Finalize the Deal
Connect with the buyer to arrange payment (usually via wire or cashier’s check) and organize pickup or shipping. Once paid, transfer the title and release the vehicle.
Buying Process: How it Works
The first step of the Cars & Bids buying process is to browse the website and find a car that you want to purchase. The site offers thousands of listings for all kinds of modern cars every day, so you will be able to find one that suits you.
How Buying Process Works on Cars & Bids
The buying process on Cars & Bids is designed to be straightforward and user-friendly. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you understand how it works.
1. Register to Bid
To bid, sign up with your email or Apple ID and provide a valid phone number and credit card details. A 4.5% buyer’s fee is added to all winning bids, so factor that into your budget.
2. Do Your Research
Review the listing, photos, and vehicle history thoroughly. You can ask the seller questions and even arrange an inspection to ensure the car’s condition.
3. Financial and Logistical Arrangements
For smooth transactions, consider using Cars & Bids’ recommended car shipping companies for quotes or arrange pickup with the seller. If financing, ensure your lender approves the purchase first.
4. Place Your Bid
When ready, place your bid. A hold is put on your credit card, and bids are binding. If a bid is placed in the last minute, the auction time resets to 1 minute. Bid only if you’re prepared to buy.
5. Winning the Auction
If you win and meet the reserve, you’ll receive the seller’s contact info to finalize the sale. Full payment must be made within a week.
- Once you’ve successfully purchased a car from an auction, there are a few essential steps to take to ensure a smooth ownership transfer. If you’re unsure about the next steps, you can check out guide to handling your car purchase after an auction, which outlines the process from paperwork to picking up your vehicle.
Cars and Bids Alternatives for Selling a Car
While Cars & Bids is a great option, there are other platforms to consider for selling your car. Here’s a quick comparison with some popular alternatives:
Cars & Bids vs Bring a Trailer
| Feature | Cars & Bids | Bring a Trailer |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Modern enthusiast | Classic & rare cars |
| Listing Fee | Free | $99 |
| Seller Fee | 4.5% (max $4,500) | 5% (max $5,000) |
| Audience | Younger buyers | Collectors |
Cars & Bids vs eBay Motors
| Feature | Cars & Bids | eBay Motors |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Enthusiast cars | All vehicle types |
| Format | Auction only | Auction & Buy Now |
| Buyer Fees | 4.5% | Varies |
| Ease of Use | High | Moderate |
Cars & Bids vs Peddle
| Feature | Cars & Bids | Peddle |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Enthusiast cars | Junk & used cars |
| Process | Auction-based | Instant cash offer |
| Seller Fee | 4.5% | None |
| Turnaround | Several days | Same/next day |
Cars & Bids vs Dealers
| Feature | Cars & Bids | Traditional Dealers |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | Enthusiast, unique | Broad mix, ready-to-drive |
| Access | Public | Public |
| Bidding | Auction-based | Fixed price or negotiable |
| Best For | Car enthusiasts | Everyday buyers |
Pros of Cars and Bids
- Listing fees are fixed: Unlike many auction sites, there are no additional fees involved. Cars and Bids charges a flat listing fee of $89 for new sellers and $49 for returning sellers.
- Good social media following: Cars and Bids is a relatively new platform, but it has a good social media following, which may allow your vehicle to be seen by even more buyers.
- Expert assistance: You can reach out to the Cars and Bids team for help with your listing. They can offer advice about listing photos, wording, and other details that may help you to secure a buyer.
- Reserves: You may set a reserve for your auction, but the team will let you know if your suggested reserve is excessive.
Cons of Cars and Bids
- Reviews are limited: Because this is a relatively new platform, there are a limited number of Cars and Bids review comments.
- The interaction required: Listings can’t simply be set and forgotten. You will need to attend the auction, answer questions, and arrange test drives.
- There are no guarantees: It is not guaranteed that you will find a legit buyer. The team at Cars and Bids does conduct checks on potential buyers, but there is no way to know a sale is going to happen until you have the cash in your hand.
How to Maximize your chances of getting a sale
Several tips can help you increase your chances of getting a sale.
- Double-listing is not allowed: There is no way to list a vehicle on Cars and Bids and other platforms at the same time.
- Good photos are crucial: Good photos can make a sale, according to Cars and Bids review comments. So, take your time selecting your best images or even hire a photographer. A photo guide is also available on Cars and Bids for further assistance.
- Video tour: A short video showing a walkaround of your vehicle and a cold start can encourage buyers to feel confident. You simply have to shoot a video and upload it to Vimeo or YouTube.
- Look into vehicle title transfers: Different states have different rules for transferring vehicle titles. Therefore, check the regulations in your home state before you list your vehicle.
How to Do a Cars and Bids Photoshoot for Selling Your Car?
A good car photoshoot is key to getting the best price for your vehicle on the Cars & Bids platform.
A Car photoshoot is divided into two sections:
- Exterior photoshoot
- Interior photoshoot
For the exterior photoshoot of your car, use these angles for good photos. Also, make sure that the photos are high quality with preferably a 3:2 ratio and a minimum resolution of 2400 x 1600px.
Car Exterior Photography
- Head-on front (with lights on)
- Driver-side 3/4 view from the rear
- Driver-side profile (side on)
- Driver-side 3/4 view from the front
- Head-on rear
- Passenger-side profile (side on)
- Passenger-side 3/4 view from the rear
- Passenger-side 3/4 view from the front
Also, capture these additional details:
- All four wheels (head-on; centered)
- Headlights
- TaillightsDings/Scratches
- Undercarriage
- Mirrors
- Roof
- Engine bay (multiple)
- Any other flaws
Interior Photography of the Car
Use natural lighting. Park your car in the daytime shade. This gives the perfect light for car interior photography.
Car Dashboard Photography
- Wide shot of the entire dashboard from the driver-side
- Manual
- Extra parts
- Keys
- Labels/Stickers
- The entire dashboard from the rear seats
- Center console and gear lever
- Center stack
- Gauge cluster with mileage showing Glove box (open and closed)
- Steering wheel head-on, showing dash and gauges
- Wide shot of entire dashboard from passenger-side
Car Seat Photography
- Front seats from driver-side
- Front footwells (with/without mats) Rear footwells (with/without mats)
- Rear seats (if applicable)
- Driver’s seat picture from the front (with the entire seat visible)
- The area behind the front seats (if applicable)
- Passenger seat picture from the front (with the entire seat visible)
- Front seats from the passenger side
Other Items and Angles in Car Photography for Cars and Bids
- Trunk
- Passenger-side door panel(s) and jamb(s)
- Driver-side door panel(s) and jamb(s)
- Pedals
- Any flaws (cracks, tears, scratches, broken trim, etc)
- Headliner
Car Documents Photography Needed for Selling Your Car
- Sticker
- Service records (with personal info redacted)
- Manuals
How to Make Car Videos for Selling on Cars and Bids
You will need to capture all the angles as mentioned for the photos. However, you don’t need to include other items and documents in the video.
Conclusion
Cars & Bids has quickly established itself as a leading platform for buying and selling modern enthusiast cars through online auctions. With no listing fees for sellers and a community of passionate car lovers, it offers a unique and engaging experience. While still relatively new, the platform’s growth, low fees, and the potential for Doug Demuro’s personal involvement in vehicle reviews set it apart from competitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell my car internationally on Cars & Bids?
No at this time, Cars & Bids is only available to sellers in the United States. All vehicles must be physically located in the U.S. when listed on the platform.
How can I make my car listing stand out?
- Upload clear, high-resolution images from multiple angles.
- Include a walkaround or driving video if possible.
- Write a detailed, honest description.
These strategies can make your listing more attractive and increase the chances of a successful sale.
What happens if the reserve price isn’t met?
If the auction ends below your set reserve, the sale won’t be finalized. However, you may still receive post-auction offers from interested buyers. You’re free to negotiate privately or relist your vehicle later.
How is payment handled after a successful auction?
Buyers must pay the full bid amount plus a 4.5% buyer’s fee (capped at $4,500) within one week of the auction’s close. Payment is typically made via wire transfer or cashier’s check. After that, the seller and buyer coordinate directly to finalize logistics and vehicle pickup.
Can I list a high-end or exotic car on Cars & Bids?
Absolutely. While the site focuses on modern enthusiast vehicles, it regularly features luxury cars, rare imports, and exotics. These types of cars tend to perform well due to the platform’s engaged and targeted audience.
What can you expect to pay on Cars & Bids?
The buyer pays a 4.5% fee on top of the final winning bid. The fee starts at $225 and is capped at $4,500.
For example:
- A car sold for $10,000 = $450 buyer’s fee
- Total paid: $10,450
Always consider the fee when budgeting your total spend.
Can I buy a car on Cars & Bids from outside the U.S. or Canada?
Yes, but with some responsibilities. International buyers can place bids, but they are fully responsible for:
- Full payment of the car + buyer’s fee.
- International shipping arrangements.
- Import taxes, customs clearance, and any legal documentation.
Cars and Bids is a good site for auctioning your luxury and sports cars. It gives you a fair price for car that will be looking for. I did the car the same, and I got, exactly what I was looking for