Our dedicated support staff is available to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to contact us below.
Email: [email protected]
Phone (M-F 9am – 5pm Pacific Time): +1 619-215-1999
Ready to find a new home for your car? Our submission process is designed to be thorough yet straightforward, ensuring your vehicle is presented in the best possible light to our community of collectors.
What happens next? Once you hit “Submit,” our team of automotive experts will review your submission. We’ll reach out within 24–48 hours to let you know if your vehicle has been accepted and to help you finalize the listing.
At Buy The Car, we are passionate about the golden eras of American automotive engineering. To maintain a focused marketplace for our collectors and enthusiasts, we have specific criteria for the vehicles we list.
Our Specialized Focus
Currently, we are exclusively looking for classic American cars produced in 1985 or earlier. This includes a wide range of iconic styles, such as:
Why the 1985 Cutoff?
We focus on vehicles from 1985 and older to ensure our community has access to a curated selection of “true classics”—cars that defined the pre-computerized, analog era of American driving.
Not sure if your car fits?
If you have a unique American vehicle from 1985 or earlier but aren’t sure if it’s the right “vibe” for our site, feel free to start a submission! Our team reviews every entry individually and will provide feedback on its suitability for a live auction.
We take pride in the quality of every listing on Buy The Car. Because our experts personally review every submission to ensure it meets our community’s standards, the timeline can vary. Typical Timeline
Factors That Affect Timing The speed of your approval often depends on two main things:
Pro Tip: To speed up the process, ensure your initial submission includes clear, high-resolution photos and a detailed history. The fewer questions our team has to ask for clarification, the faster we can move your car toward the auction block!
Think of your listing as a digital showroom. The more information you provide upfront, the more confident our bidders will feel.
Yes. We understand that your classic vehicle represents a significant investment, and a reserve price allows you to set a minimum amount you are willing to accept for the sale.
How the Reserve is Determined
Rather than a “set it and forget it” number, your reserve is a collaborative decision:
What happens if the reserve isn’t met?
If the bidding ends and the high bid is below your agreed-upon reserve, the vehicle will not be sold. However, in many cases, we can work with you and the highest bidder after the auction to see if a deal can still be reached.
Pro Tip: Auctions offered with “No Reserve” typically see significantly higher engagement and more aggressive bidding. If you’re looking for the most eyes on your car, ask your specialist if a No Reserve listing is right for your vehicle!
We believe in keeping the selling process simple and rewarding. Unlike many traditional auction houses that take a percentage of your final sale price, Buy The Car charges $0 in sales commission.
Our Simple Flat Fee
To list your vehicle on our platform, there is a one-time listing fee of $99. This flat fee covers:
Keep 100% of Your Sale
Because we don’t charge a seller’s commission, every dollar of the winning bid goes directly to you. We want you to get the full value for your classic American machine.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for special events! We frequently run promotions for discounted or even free listings. Check our homepage or sign up for our seller newsletter to catch the next deal.
No. There are no additional fees or penalties if your vehicle does not reach its reserve price. We believe you should only pay for a successful platform experience, which is why your initial listing fee is the only cost you’ll encounter.
What happens when an auction ends below reserve?
If the high bid is below your agreed-upon reserve when the clock runs out, the vehicle is officially a no-sale. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean a deal can’t be made.
Your Options
If a private deal isn’t reached, you can choose to:
Pro Tip: Often, the “gap” between the high bid and the reserve is smaller than you think. Engaging with bidders in the comments during the live auction is the best way to narrow that gap before the hammer falls!
While not strictly mandatory, active participation is the single most important thing you can do to ensure a successful sale. Think of the comments section as your “digital showroom floor.”
Why Your Voice Matters
Buying a classic car online requires a leap of faith. When you engage with the community, you provide the “human element” that builds bidder confidence:
Advanced Tools for Sellers
The comments section isn’t just for text. As a seller, you have a unique advantage:
Our Recommendation: We suggest checking your listing twice a day during the auction week. Setting aside 10 minutes in the morning and evening to answer questions can make a massive difference when the clock starts ticking down in the final hour!
In the world of online collector car auctions, a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) is a standard part of the due diligence process. When a bidder asks for one, it usually means they are highly interested and ready to place a significant bid.
Your Role as the Seller
While you aren’t responsible for the cost or the logistics of the inspection, we ask that you be prepared and willing to accommodate these requests during the auction period:
Keeping it Professional
Pro Tip: If you have a local mechanic you trust who has a lift, offering to meet the inspector there can make the process much smoother and faster for everyone involved!
As the seller, you maintain control over your reserve price throughout the live auction. If you feel the bidding momentum is strong but hasn’t quite hit your target, or if you simply decide you are ready to let the car go to the current high bidder, you have one option:
Removing the Reserve: You can choose to remove the reserve entirely at any point. Once the reserve is removed:
How to Make the Change
To remove your reserve, simply go to your dashboard and find your active listing. Click the gear icon on your listing, and an option will appear to remove your reserve.
Pro Tip: Removing a reserve in the final hour of an auction is a classic strategy to drive up the final price. The “No Reserve” status attracts a wider pool of bidders who were waiting on the sidelines!
Once the digital hammer falls and the auction is finalized, the responsibility for payment shifts to the winning bidder. While every timeline is slightly different, here is the standard path to getting paid:
Initial Contact (The First 24 Hours)
Immediately after the auction ends, we provide both you and the buyer with each other’s contact information. You should reach out within 24 hours to congratulate them and discuss the preferred payment method and vehicle pickup logistics.
Recommended Payment Methods: To ensure a secure and verifiable transaction, we strongly recommend using one of the following:
The Timeline
Most transactions are completed within 3 to 7 business days. This allows time for the buyer to initiate the wire transfer or for a cashier’s check to be sent via overnight mail.
Releasing the Vehicle
You should only release the vehicle and the signed title once you have confirmed that the funds are cleared and fully available in your bank account.
Please Note: If the buyer is financing the vehicle through a classic car lender, the timeline might take a few extra days as the bank processes the loan paperwork. Staying in close communication with the buyer during this window ensures a smooth experience for both of you!
The short answer is no. On Buy The Car, the responsibility for transporting or picking up the vehicle—including all costs and logistics—falls entirely on the winning bidder.
The Seller’s Role in Transport: While you don’t have to hire the truck, your cooperation is key to a smooth “handoff.” Your responsibilities are generally limited to:
The Buyer’s Role: The buyer is expected to:
When to contact us about shipping or pickup issues
Delays from the buyer may occur, and we understand that logistical hurdles and scheduling issues may happen. However, if the 14 day deadline is up and you’re still having difficulty getting the buyer to agree to a shipping or pick-up date, then don’t hesitate to contact our support team. One of our Auction Specialists will step in to mediate and ensure the buyer fulfills their commitment to take delivery of the vehicle.
Pro Tip: If your vehicle is “non-running” or has specific quirks (like a tricky hood latch or a specific starting procedure), be sure to communicate this to the buyer early. This helps them book the right type of trailer, such as one with a winch!
The buyer is responsible for all costs associated with registering the vehicle and transferring the title into their name. Because these fees vary significantly depending on where the buyer lives, they are handled independently of the auction price.
Finalizing the sale of a classic vehicle involves more than just handing over the keys. Proper documentation ensures the buyer can legally register the car and preserves the history you’ve built with the vehicle.
The Legal Essentials: As the seller, you are responsible for providing the legal “Proof of Ownership”:
The “Paper Trail” (Provenance): One of the reasons bidders choose Buy The Car is the history behind these machines. Please include:
Delivering the Documents: It is the seller’s responsibility to get these documents to the buyer. Always send the title and important records via a trackable overnight service (like FedEx or UPS) once payment for the vehicle has fully cleared.
Important Notes: Never put the title inside the car during transport. If the transport truck is delayed or the car is broken into, the title could be lost. Some states require a Notary Public to witness the signing of a title. Be sure to check your local DMV requirements before you sign the document to ensure it remains valid for the buyer!
When a bidder wins an auction, they are committing to purchasing the vehicle. If a buyer fails to communicate, refuses to pay, or withdraws for any reason, we take immediate action.
Our Commitment: While we cannot physically force a buyer to send a wire transfer, we do everything in our power to vet bidders beforehand and provide you with immediate “Plan B” options if a sale falls through.
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