Buying and Selling a Car on Bring a Trailer 3 weeks ago

Specializing in buying and selling unique and classic cars, Bring a Trailer (BaT) has gained widespread prominence as a premier platform. 

This platform is designed for car enthusiasts looking for a reliable car-buying experience. Quality is maintained at all times at this auction-based marketplace, where a large base of car lovers engage with different listings. 

People who are fond of vintage cars know how hard it can be to find the right vehicle and add it to their collection. This is one of the major reasons why online car auctions are gaining widespread popularity. 

This is a step-by-step guide that will help you buy or sell a classic car, get all the information you need, and the latest Bring a Trailer reviews to help you navigate through the process.

Key Takeaways

• Bring a Trailer specializes in online auctions for classic, collectible, and unique cars.
• Buyers can explore curated listings, place bids, and win their dream vehicle.
• Sellers benefit from reaching a niche audience with a passion for rare cars.
• Pros: Transparent listings, global reach, and active community discussions.
• Cons: Competitive bidding and buyer/seller fees.
• Buyers pay a 5% fee, while sellers pay listing fees starting at $99.
• Sherpa Auto Transport provides secure and hassle-free shipping for auction vehicles.
• It is ideal for collectors, unique vehicle sellers, and transparency-seeking buyers.

In This Guide:

• Buying and Selling a Car on Bring a Trailer
• What is Bring a Trailer?
• How to Buy a Car on Bring a Trailer?
• How to Sell a Car on Bring a Trailer?
• Pros of Bring a Trailer
• Cons of Bring a Trailer
• What is Bring a Trailer Best for?
• Tips for a Successful Experience on Bring a Trailer
• Bring a Trailer FAQs

Buying and Selling a Car on Bring a Trailer

If you’re a car enthusiast or simply looking to buy or sell a unique vehicle, Bring a Trailer might be the ultimate destination. 

Bring a Trailer Auctions is an exclusively online go-to platform for classic, vintage, and collectible cars. 

But how does it work? Is it worth your time? And how do you handle transportation once you’ve completed your transaction? Let’s find out. 

What is Bring a Trailer?

Bring a Trailer (BaT) is an online car auction that specializes in vintage and classic cars and helps car enthusiasts sell and purchase their vehicles. 

It is an opportunity for the owners to sell their cars on the platform and for the enthusiasts to purchase their favorite vintage cars for their collection, which are otherwise hard to find. 

How to Buy a Car on Bring a Trailer?

Bring a Trailer is a user-friendly platform. Below is a step-by-step guide to buying a car on Bring a Trailer. 

1. Register Yourself

Just like any other website, you need to register yourself by creating a login and password, which you can use to bid on a car. 

To verify your account and authenticity as a buyer or seller, you will be required to provide credit card information. 

2. Browse Listings To Find A Suitable Car

You will find all the related details of the listed vehicles, including a complete description, a photo gallery, and a comment section.

You will find answers to questions that other people have asked the seller in the comments section. If this doesn’t help, you can submit your questions and engage with the seller. 

3.  Submit Your Bid

Analyze and see how much you want to spend, then submit your bid. You can add the maximum amount as the bid price; the system will automatically adjust your bid. 

When you approach the final moments of the auction, the clock keeps extending by two minutes every time a bid is placed. The auction is ended when there is no bid for two whole minutes.

Click here to learn How To Buy A Car At Auction.

Once you are done, don’t forget to sign up for alerts to stay updated on how the auction is doing. 

4. See If You Won The Bid

At the end of the auction, if you have the highest bid, the vehicle is yours to take. The credit card you entered at the time of registration will be charged for 5% of the bid price that is being paid to Bring a Trailer. 

Once the vehicle is marked as yours, you cannot back out of the sale, but you can schedule a vehicle inspection. 

5. Complete The Sale

From hereon, the final transaction and further communication can be handled between the buyer and the seller. 

6. Arrange Transportation

If you live in the same area as the seller, then you can easily handle the transport yourself, but if you two live further apart, you need to opt for shipping services. Sherpa Auto Transport is a professional auto transport company that provides hassle-free and convenient shipping at competitive rates for Auto Auction Buyers. 

How to Sell a Car on Bring a Trailer?

If you are looking to sell a vintage or classic vehicle, you need to follow these steps for a smooth experience. 

Step 1: Submit your Vehicle

You need to visit the vehicle submission page and provide a detailed description. Then select a listing in the Bring Trailer categories (Classic, Plus, or White Glove), answer some quick questions, and upload photos of the vehicle you’re looking to sell. 

Bring Trailer categories are segmented as follows.

Classic: Basic custom auction for your vehicle.

Plus: Custom auction with professional photography for a higher-quality listing.

White Glove: Concierge service that handles all details for the seller, typically used for significant or extremely rare cars and collections.

Step 2: Evaluation Of Your Submission

Once the submission is complete, their team will review your submissions to ensure quality. The team at Bring a Trailer will then decide whether your vehicle meets their criteria. If they deem it a good fit, you will be requested to send additional information as well as your seller’s fee, depending on the Bring Trailer categories you choose:

Classic: $99

Plus: $429

White Glove: Must call for pricing

Step 3: Work With Bring A Trailer 

BaT will need maintenance records, service documents, and other details to create a quality listing for auction. 

Step 4: Monitor The Auction

Answer questions and address concerns discussed in the comments section of your listing. The more details you can provide, the more bids you’ll get, and the more likely you’ll be able to sell the vehicle. Once the auction time is up, the car belongs to the highest bidder.

Step 5: Complete The Sale

All further communication, as well as the final transaction, will be handled between the buyer and seller.

Step 6: Arrange Shipment 

The buyer is responsible for arranging the shipment of the newly purchased vehicle. You can opt for Sherpa Auto Transport to handle the shipping of your car smoothly.

Pros of Bring a Trailer

Curated Listings: Every vehicle undergoes a vetting process, ensuring high-quality offerings.

Active Community: Enthusiasts engage in lively discussions, providing valuable insights about listings.

Global Reach: Buyers and sellers from all over the world can participate, increasing exposure.

Detailed Listings: Comprehensive descriptions and photos help buyers make informed decisions.

Professional Review: A professional team reviews vehicle details before approving and listing.

Authentic: Both buyers and sellers are working with a legitimate third party that prioritizes quality service.

Cons of Bring a Trailer

Competitive Bidding: Bring a Trailer Auctions can get intense, potentially driving prices higher than expected.

Fees: Both buyers and sellers pay fees, which may appeal to something other than budget-conscious users.

Limited Audience for Non-Collectibles: Everyday vehicles may attract less attention than rare or classic cars.

In person Inspection: Buyers can’t see a vehicle in person prior to placing a bid and purchasing

What is Bring a Trailer Best for?

Reduces Environmental Impact

The online platforms facilitate the buying and selling of used cars and help reduce the impact of the automotive market on the environment. When you buy or sell a used vehicle, you’re reducing manufacturing demands and landfill impact, lowering your carbon footprint.

Keeps Up With The Market Trend

When buying or selling a car, you need to keep in view the market trends. Platforms like Bring a Trailer make it easy to see the availability of certain vehicles and how much sellers are asking for them.

Regulatory Changes

Changes in rules, like taxes and interstate buying laws, can affect online car sales. Bring a Trailer helps you find cars near you, but knowing the laws in your area is key to a smooth buying process. Take some time to learn about local regulations before making a purchase.

While Bring a Trailer is a great option, it’s not the only one! Check out our guide to the Best Sites To Buy A Used Car for more choices.

Tips for a Successful Experience on Bring a Trailer

For Buyers

Thorough Research: Look into the make, model, and year of the car you’re interested in. Reading the comments can reveal a lot about the vehicle’s condition and potential issues.

Check Seller’s History: BaT provides seller ratings and previous auction history, allowing you to assess their reputation.

Have a Budget and Stick to It: Enthusiasm can make bidding competitive, so set a budget and avoid going over it without sound reasoning.

For Sellers

Presentation is Key: High-quality images and videos, detailed descriptions, and maintenance records boost trust and bid interest.

Engage with Commenters: Answering questions in the comments builds rapport with potential buyers and can lead to higher bids.

Timing Matters: Consider listing during a time of year when your vehicle is in demand (e.g., sports cars in spring or summer, 4x4s in winter).

Bring a Trailer FAQs