The Daily Vroom

Good Morning Vroomers!

If you missed the news last week, Amazon Autos is here—letting customers browse, buy, and even finance Hyundai vehicles directly on Amazon. It’s streamlined, convenient, and exactly the kind of bold move you’d expect from them.

Now, I don’t see Amazon diving into the online auction space anytime soon—it’s not really their thing. But if I were the Private Equityowner of Cars & Bids, I’d be asking myself: could there be a way to partner with Amazon? Crazy, sure. But PE thrives on scale, and nothing scales like Amazon. A move like that could take C&B to a whole new level. Sometimes, thinking big is the only way to win big.

Catch you tomorrow,

Sam

How to choose the right auction platform for your vehicle

Trying to condense this to a newsletter suitable length is not easy, but below are the most salient points.

Selling a car at auction is a bit like picking the right restaurant. You’ve got options for speed, service, specialty, and the overall experience – but if you don’t know what you’re looking for, you might end up regretting your choice.

Let’s break it down.

1. Speed: How Fast Do You Need to Sell?

Sometimes you just want to get your car listed yesterday. For that, Bring a Trailer probably isn’t your first choice. Don’t get me wrong, BaT is the gold standard for a reason, but their process can take longer than most (something they’re actively working on).

If time isn’t on your side, platforms like: (plus many others)

• Cars & Bids

• Collecting Cars

• Car & Classic

• SOMO

• Hemmings

are generally quicker. They move at a solid pace and get your car in front of buyers without much delay. Many smaller platforms can be even faster.

2. Interaction: Do You Want to Talk to Someone?

For some sellers, listing a car is all about efficiency – no calls, no fuss, just get it done. If that’s you, then BaT has you covered. They’re too big to offer personalized phone support,(certainly for one-off sellers) but their back-end system for messaging and communication is rock solid.

But if you’re the type who wants to speak to a human, nearly all other platforms offer more hands-on service. You’ll get direct support when listing, which can make the process a lot smoother, especially if it’s your first rodeo.

3. Specialization: Does Your Car Need a Specialist?

Certain cars can perform better on niche platforms.

• Got a Mercedes-Benz? Look at The MB Market.

• Selling a Porsche? PCarMarket has carved out a solid lane.

That said, BaT remains an all-rounder that handles just about everything well. They’re particularly strong with some models, like for example the 3.2 Carrera – they’re practically the kings of those. (check out the one below this article)

The lesson here: If your car has a niche following, consider a specialist. If it’s a broader play, BaT is still hard to beat.

4. Price: Chasing Top Dollar

At the end of the day, who isn’t after the best possible price?

For maximum exposure and bidding wars, BaT often takes the crown. But they’re not the only game in town. Platforms like SOMO have done surprisingly well with higher-priced cars, particularly in the $200k sweet spot. If you’re listing something significant, it’s worth keeping an open mind.

5. Reserve or No Reserve: Know the Trade-Offs

This is a tricky one. Platforms often push no-reserve listings because they’re guaranteed revenue for them. And yes, a no-reserve listing can attract more interest and bidders, but it’s not always the right call.

Some cars and price points do better with reserves. Others thrive without. The key here is research. Look at past sales of similar cars:

• How many went no reserve?

• How did they perform?

Doing this homework is mandatory if you’re serious about your sale.

Everyone wants examples so here’s one good one and one not so good (dependent if you’re the seller or buyer!)

This no reserve listing for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL500 went way too cheap.

Whilst this no reserve listing for this 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo S 3.6 Package hit the stratosphere!

6. Location: Think Local, Think Global

If you’re selling outside the U.S., choosing a local platform is a no-brainer.

Collecting Cars operates internationally and has offices worldwide. They’ve become a go-to for cars in Europe, Australia, and beyond. If you’re targeting global buyers, they’re an excellent pick.

As for BaT? Stay tuned – they’ve got big plans for Europe that you’ll hear more about soon.

7. Timing: When to List Your Car

Timing is everything. Selling a convertible in the dead of winter, probably not your best move. Likewise, some platforms and price points perform better at certain times of year.

We’ve shown this numerous times in the past with our data: the idea that weekend sales are worse than weekday sales. It’s completely false. Timing matters, but it’s about context – the season, the type of car, and knowing when buyers are paying attention.

The takeaway. Do your homework. Know when your car is most likely to attract buyers.

8. Acceptance: Not Every Car Makes the Cut

Here’s the harsh truth: Just because you think your car belongs on a platform doesn’t mean the platform agrees.

Each auction site has its own criteria for accepting or rejecting cars. BaT, for example, is selective, and getting declined can be frustrating. That’s why it pays to have a backup plan. If your car doesn’t get accepted there are plenty of platforms that will take it. It’s not a one-size fits all.

9. After-Sale Service: What Happens Post-Sale?

A lot of sellers don’t think about what happens after the auction ends, but it’s worth considering. Platforms like Hemmings, Cars & Bids, and BaT have partnerships with third-party services to help with payment, title transfer, and even shipping.

Ask yourself: Will that make your life easier? If you think a smooth post-sale process will help close the deal, it’s worth factoring this into your decision.

10. Do Your Homework: Research and Presentation Are Everything

Before you list, take the time to do your homework. Look at recent sales of cars similar to yours:

• What did they sell for?

• When were they listed?

• What made them stand out?

Presentation is key. I can’t stress this enough. Great photos, a detailed description, and clear service history make all the difference. On platforms like BaT and Cars & Bids, if your reserve price is hitting $50k+, I highly recommend working with a partner seller. That can make the huge difference between a sale, a big sale or no sale at all.

Not all partner sellers are created equal. There’s a wide gap between those who are good and those who are excellent. Choose wisely.

The Bottom Line

Picking the right auction platform comes down to what matters most to you. Whether it’s speed, service, specialization, price, timing, or after-sale support, there’s a platform that fits your needs. Just remember:

• Know your goals.

• Do your homework. (this is a 1500+ word article in itself)

• Present your car in the best light possible.

If you nail those three things, you’ll give yourself the best shot at a smooth sale and a strong result.

This covers the main points, but of course other factors can come into play. If you ever have a question on which platform to auction your vehicle, you can always reach out to me, I’ll do my best to help point you in the right direction.

Auctions To Keep An Eye On

Let’s cut straight to it—this is a ‘89 Porsche 911 that ticks all the boxes.

Triple black ✅ 

G50 gearbox ✅ 

Original family ownership with only 27k miles on the clock ✅

Everything about this car screams “special,” from the pristine presentation to the carefully documented history.

The 3.2-liter flat-six paired with the G50 manual is a dream setup, delivering that quintessential air-cooled Porsche experience. Add in the factory Hi-Fi system, a sunroof, and those iconic Fuchs wheels, and you’ve got an '80s time capsule.

Sure, there’s some discussion about the seats not being original, but honestly, it doesn’t take away from the appeal. Period-correct changes like these were common back in the day.

Here’s what really stands out: this car hasn’t just been maintained—it’s been loved. Original paint, proper service records, and even the tool kit—it’s all there. The bidding is already strong, and with 4 days to go, I’d bet this one is heading for a record price.

Now this is a listing I didn’t see coming on Cars & Bids! A Ferrari California transformed into a 1963 250 GTE? That’s some wild ambition right there. This isn’t your typical Sunday garage project; it’s the kind of "dream big" build that car people live for.

The bones of this project are intriguing. You’ve got a 2010 Ferrari California with only 5,600 miles, already paired with a modified 1963 Ferrari 250 GTE body shell. The seller has done much of the hard groundwork: 3D scans, test fits, and a 52-page custom guide to help the next owner bring this vision to life. It's got all the makings of a masterpiece—or at least a very expensive puzzle.

This one isn’t for the faint-hearted. Rust, unfinished fabrication, and a non-running engine mean whoever takes this on is committing to months (maybe years) of late nights and wallet-emptying parts lists. And yet, it’s a no-reserve auction, which means someone’s going to get one of the coolest projects I’ve ever seen for...well, whatever it ends at.

Here’s what excites me most: the potential. A modern Ferrari chassis with the classic lines of a 250 GTE. If done right, this could be the ultimate restomod. I’d love to see where this car ends up—whether it’s on a concours lawn or tearing up the backroads.

Whoever wins this, please promise us one thing: share the journey. The car world needs to see this dream become reality.

Above I talked about the power of niche platforms and how they can sometimes outperform the big players for the right car. Well, here’s a prime example unfolding right now. This 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Coupe was listed on BaT back in October and didn’t sell with bidding reaching $30,750. Now, it’s on The MB Market—a platform designed specifically for MB enthusiasts.

The question is simple: can a platform with a fraction of the exposure sell a car that aligns so closely with its niche better than the market giant?

This W111 Coupe makes a strong case for itself. The Light Beige over Red Leather is a rare and desirable combination, paired with the timeless pillarless design that makes these cars automotive art. It’s a car you don’t drive so much as you glide—160hp from the 2.8L inline-six providing just enough push to complement the sophistication.

And let’s not forget the story behind it: 40 years of ownership, a tasteful restoration, and enough original features (like the Becker radio) to keep any purist happy.

The real intrigue for me here is whether The MB Market’s focused audience can outbid BaT’s broader reach. For a car as quintessentially Mercedes as this, the platform's specialization might just tip the scales. Although with no bids since the 11th, will the last few hours bring back the bidders?

Enjoying The Daily Vroom?

Pay it forward by sharing this newsletter with an automotive aficionado in your circles. Your endorsement allows us to accelerate our growth.