best car auction sites

Popular Car Auction Websites: Where to Buy or Sell a Car Online in 2024

Car Auctions USA presents this guide on online car auction websites. With so many options and nuances, we wanted to share our experiences with these popular online auto auctions and also share a few you may not be familiar with yet.

Auto auctions are a great way to purchase your dream car at an affordable price. With a wide variety of cars available and an auction format that offers a level playing field for all bidders, it’s no wonder that car auctions have become increasingly popular.

Remember that not all of the options below are open to the public. Some are dealers only, while most are public auctions or at least host public car auctions on occasion.

The great thing about having so many options for auto auction websites is that you can easily browse photos of the cars for sale online. In the past, buying a car involved a lot of legwork and having to travel around a bit to look at various vehicles in different locations.

Now you can even specify a certain model or year range when searching on car auction websites. These auction websites bring a lot of convenience and confidence to the car buying process while also saving you money. The icing on the cake is that they are also a lot of fun and interesting to take part in — in our humble opinion.

Jan 2024 Update: Things are looking much better in the industry with prices and availability in the new and used car market since last year. Even popular models, like the Ford F-150 or the Toyota Camry are readily available for purchase on dealer lots. This means more trade-ins entering the market and more bargains at used car auctions in 2024.

car auction websites - internet sites with used cars via online bidding

Public Auto Auction Sites with Online Bidding

These are are the more mainstream of online car auction sites. They vary greatly though in what sort of used cars they auction and also how they auction them off. As far as free online car auction sites goes, almost all will allow you to browse their inventories for free. There is typically not a fee just to see the cars for sale or anything like that.

  • Manheim – One of the largest auto auction companies in the world, with locations in North America, Europe, and Asia, providing a variety of services, including auctions, reconditioning / remarketing, and transportation. This is the ultimate behemoth dealer auto auction.
  • Copart – A leading player in the salvage auto auction industry with locations across the United States, Canada, the UK, and other countries, offering a huge selection of vehicles and services, including transportation, storage, and reconditioning. They primarily focus on wrecked and salvage auction cars.
  • Adesa – A leading provider of vehicle auction and remarketing services, with locations across the United States and Canada, offering a wide range of services, including auctions, reconditioning, and transportation. This is another very large chain of dealer car auctions in the US. I have visited several Adesa car auctions over the years and they tend to be well-organized.
  • IAAI – A company that specializes in the sale of vehicles that have been deemed a total loss by insurance companies, with locations across the United States and Canada, offering a unique selection of vehicles, including luxury and high-end cars, at affordable prices. When I think of salvage car auctions, the first thing I think of is IAAI.
  • Bar None Auction – A leading provider of vehicle auction services, with locations in California, Texas, and Washington, offering a variety of services, including live and online auctions, transportation, and storage. I also often see that they have heavy equipment such as bulldozers and front loaders for auction.
  • Ride Safely – An online auction platform that specializes in the sale of used vehicles, with a huge selection of cars from all over the country and services, including transportation and financing. They boast a pretty respectable selection of auction cars and are open to the public.
  • Gov Auctions – A platform that specializes in the sale of vehicles that have been seized by government agencies, including the police and FBI, with a large selection of vehicles, including luxury and high-end cars, offering some of the best deals on the market. Bid on police seizures, tow impounds, government fleet surplus, and more online.

VIDEO: There Are So Many Car Auction Sites Now

It almost feels like there is beginning to be too many car auction websites these days. Recent world events have ushered in a second coming of the online shopping era that first hit in the early 2000s and there is more incentive for companies to offer services like bidding online and being able to complete the entire transaction via internet.

Video Credit: Donut Media

This video touches on the massive growth in the number of auction sites with cars in recent years. It really can be daunting deciding which one to trust when you consider all the newer ones.

It is helpful to use sites like Better Business Bureau or Consumer Reports to read more specific information about one you want to use. Also, I highly recommend reddit as a good source of personal experience reviews.

used cars for sale

Honorable Mentions: Niche Car Auction Websites

Car auction sites are now becoming very common with so many options for buying a car online. There are even specialty niche car auction sites like Bring a Trailer that give sellers of sought after specialty cars their own platform for buying and selling.

  • Cars & Bids – An online auction platform that specializes in the sale of collector and specialty vehicles, offering a unique and curated selection of vehicles, including classic cars, exotic cars, and sports cars, and providing a convenient and user-friendly platform for car buyers and sellers.
  • Bring a Trailer – A popular online auction platform that specializes in the sale of vintage and enthusiast vehicles, offering a wide selection of vehicles, including classic cars, sports cars, and collectible vehicles, and providing a community-driven platform where car enthusiasts can buy and sell their vehicles. If you are a car lover, I recommend following Bring a Trailer on their social media for the most interesting listings.
  • Rad For Sale – The only online auction platform focused on the automotive lifestyle and culture of the 1980s and 1990s. This is definitely one of the more unique car auction websites out there. I am curious to see if it continues to grow at the same rapid pace that it has been.
  • Hemmings – A leading provider of automotive content and resources, including a classic car classifieds section and an auction platform for classic cars, offering a wide selection of vehicles, including classic cars, muscle cars, and antique cars, and providing a platform for car enthusiasts and collectors to buy and sell their vehicles.

Online car auction websites provide a very easy way to bid on wholesale used cars. Whether you are a professional automotive dealer seeking to expand your inventory or an individual in search of a great deal, there are plenty of car auction sites that will sell you a cheap used car.

The websites mentioned in this guide are considered to be among the top choices in the industry, offering a vast selection of vehicles, competitive pricing, and easy-to-use platforms.

auto transport service hauls a full load of auction cars on an open automobile carrier

Keep in mind that buying a vehicle through an auction website comes with a bit of extra risk that we like to warn out customers about upfront. Before making a bid, be sure to thoroughly review the terms and conditions, inspect the vehicle, and research its history.

Regardless of whether you are in the market for a car, truck, or any other type of vehicle, online car auction websites can help you find the perfect match at a reasonable price.

You may also buy an auction car from another state and have it delivered to your door via a car auction shipping service.

Also, remember that you can also sell your car at an auction as well. It is a good way for a quick and easy transaction without all the associated hassles like paperwork. The best online car auction sites will offer the ability to either buy or sell a vehicle.

Last updated on January 5th, 2024 at 07:47 pm

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