The Daily Vroom

Good Morning Vroomers!

I’ve been thinking about the players in the auction world—not the big names we all know, but what might be bubbling up behind them. So, I took another look at Autotrader Auctions. (don’t look, it’s that awful!) Let me tell you, it’s just as bad as I said last year—an absolute embarrassment. It’s like they’re not even trying.

If someone’s going to challenge the top platforms in terms of volume, it’s not coming from any of the existing ones. Unless a few of them merge (unlikely), it’s going to take a brand-new platform to shake things up. There’s one ambitious contender on the horizon that could be interesting (more on them soon). Let’s hope we either see some fresh energy from new players or existing companies finally teaming up to give the big guys a run for their money.

See you tomorrow.

MARKET LEADERBOARD

💰 The figures shared below don’t count any other sales such as car seats, memorabilia etc… All online auction sites are analyzed to put this leaderboard together.

I only include websites that have sold 5+ vehicles in the chart below.

Yesterday was a better day in terms of vehicles sold and value of vehicles sold which was $5.4m. As you can see below it’s the usual 4 platforms with no-one else even coming close to making it on the leaderboard. Cars

YESTERDAY’S TOP 5 SALES

The 3.6 Porsche originally sold during the peak of the market in 2022 for $470K, making the $432K result here a solid number overall. As for the incredible original GT500, it fetched a hefty price, with the buyer—marking their second purchase on BaT in 2025—planning to ship it home to Brazil. It’s a good reminder that outside the U.S., vibrant enthusiast markets are alive and well, fueling global demand for these iconic cars.

Want to dive deeper into any of these listings? Just click on the car to take you directly to the listing.

Sale of the Day

This 2007 BMW X5 4.8i went for just $8,800, and honestly, that’s a killer deal. For this model, higher-mileage examples like this often show up on Cars & Bids, where they sell for great prices. Meanwhile, lower-mileage versions usually land on Bring a Trailer, where they go for more than double.

This X5 had plenty going for it—Space Gray Metallic paint, a 4.8L V8 with 350 horsepower, and some top-tier features. The Premium, Technology, and Rear Climate packages packed in everything from a panoramic sunroof to 4-zone climate control. Add in its clean Florida ownership and no-reserve auction, and the buyer walked away with a ton of SUV for the money.

Sales like this show how Cars & Bids can deliver awesome value for certain models. At $8,800, this one’s a total win.

Hagerty’s Identity Crisis

I thought I’d have a look at how Hagerty are doing so far in 2025. Hagerty’s online platform is starting to look like a mixed bag. With an average sale price of $15K and 45% of vehicles selling for under $10K, it’s clear the focus is skewing toward entry-level cars. Meanwhile, their sister company, Broad Arrow, commands the top of the market, auctioning six- and seven-figure masterpieces.

The issue? Hagerty’s online marketplace doesn’t seem to have a clear identity. It feels more like a placeholder—a way to say “we’re here” in the online auction space—than a defined platform serving a specific segment of the market. Given their vast base of insurance customers, many of whom must own mid-range classics, the platform could thrive as a hub for those cars that don’t fit Broad Arrow’s high-end mold but also aren’t bargain-basement finds. Are they asking their customers?

Without a sharper focus, the site risks becoming cluttered with cheap listings, losing the polish and purpose that customers might expect from a brand as respected as Hagerty. It’s a missed opportunity to define their digital presence and carve out a space that complements their live auctions, rather than feeling like an entirely separate—and less refined—offering.

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