Many used car dealers use formal online car auctions as a key inventory source, purchasing vehicles for anywhere between $3,000 to over $10,000. Some car dealerships buy junk cars and look for the potential that could be there. Other auto dealers specialize in crowd favorites like Teslas and other trending EVs.
Nexus works with auto dealerships via our Dealer Portal to ship cars and source inventory from private and auction sources. We also help point you to great auctions for selling vehicles if you need to offload old inventory quickly.
According to recent data, used car dealers in the United States purchase up to 97% of their inventories from wholesale car and other auto auctions. That's why we've created this compendium of the best car auction websites in 2025 – so you can get a leg up on creating and managing a profitable inventory that engages customers and creates buzz.
As car selling moves increasingly online, it's a good practice for car dealerships to tap online automobile auctions as a viable place for both stocking and offloading inventory. Head over to our Nexus Dealer Portal for exclusive insights into dealer trends focused on auctions in your area and around the United States.
Are you interested in learning more about online vehicle and car auctions? This all-encompassing primer on automobile auctions is here to help. We'll dive into some key information about online car auctioning before revealing the 5 Best Car Auction Websites for Car Dealers in 2025.
Whether you're looking for a salvage auto auction, cheap car auctions with various vehicles, or another online public auto auction in the USA, we've got your dealership covered.
Let's start by looking at why cars go to auction in the first place.
Why Do Cars Go to Online Car Auctions?
There are various reasons why automobiles end up on the auction block. They include:
In the last case, remember that cars damaged by weather and accidents can only be sold at specialized auctions. Some auctions facilitate online car bidding, while others are in-person affairs. Bookmark our complete guide to buying cars at online auctions for more information about cheap car auctions and how to make money off of auctions as a used car dealership.
What Types of Online Car Auctions Are There?
Auto dealerships have several online car auctions to choose from when plotting inventories and executing purchases. Here are the different types of public and private car auctions available to owners and administrators:
Salvage Car Auctions
Salvage car auctions feature vehicles that are badly damaged that insurance companies deem as a “total loss.” When you purchase a car from a salvage auto auction, you can get quality inventory at reduced prices unthinkable elsewhere. Just know that salvage vehicle auctions are gambles by design.
Dealership Auctions
Auto dealerships rely on online car auctions to clear out excess inventory, sending out overstock cars to auctions for quick money. As a result, your dealership can get fantastic deals on brand new vehicles at a dealership car auction USA that stocks these types of automobiles. You can easily benefit from dealership auctions, whether purchasing for yourself or stocking your own dealership.
Repo Car Auctions
Repo car auctions sell cars that the bank repossesses. Many of these repossessed vehicles are in excellent condition, making them ideal inventory when purchasing for a used car dealership.
Rental Car Auctions
Rental car auctions allow rental car companies to sell their vehicles to auctions when they’ve reached a certain mileage limit. Because these cars are often very well maintained, rental auto auctions are great sources for vehicle dealerships to acquire quality inventory.
Wholesale Car Auctions
Wholesale auto auctions are dealers-exclusive auctions offering large quantities of vehicles culled from various sources, including dealer trade-ins, repossessions, fleet liquidations, and returns. These auctions are built exclusively for dealers and offer lower per-unit prices than you'll find on the private car auction market.
Famous Car Auctions
If you’re looking for car auction websites that highlight famous cars, priceless antiques, and other vehicular oddities, there are car bidding websites out there waiting for you to register! The most famous online car auctions are a good place to start for dealerships specializing in luxury automobiles and hard-to-find models.
How Do Online Car Auctions Work?
Auto dealerships have several online car auctions to choose from when plotting inventories and executing purchases. Here are the different types of public and private car auctions available to owners and administrators:
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Search for the vehicles you're looking for.
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Peruse results and general car listings to pinpoint cars you wish to purchase at auction.
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Place a bid on the vehicle or vehicles you wish to purchase.
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Pay for the vehicles via escrow services or approved payment methods.
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Ship cars to your dealership with the help of a professional car shipping company like Nexus Auto Transport.
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Register and verify your dealer's license.
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Clean the vehicle and gather documents.
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List the vehicle with accurate information and high-quality photos.
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Monitor data trends and set price points with the help of a trusted Car Value Calculator. Keep an eye on the auction and respond promptly to potential winners.
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Finalize the sale and receive payment.
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Ship cars from your dealership with the help of a top car transport company.
The Top 5 Best Car Auction Sites For Car Dealers in 2025
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The best used auto dealerships rely on consistent, profitable inventory sources to make money. At this stage in the retail game, car dealers need to be versed in online auto auctions to find good cars at great price points—especially when making mass purchases.
Regardless of your vehicle dealership size, you should only concern yourself with the best online auction sites to ensure the best auction prices and the highest quality services. Let's look at the five best car auction sites for car dealers right now.
1. COPART
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Copart is the online auction site you should use if you're looking for non-repairable, clean title and salvage cars. This site offers vehicles, trucks, classic cars, motorcycles, industrial vehicles, and even more.
It's one of the world's most trusted online auction sites and an excellent place for dealerships to get visibility for cars they struggle to sell on the lot. Their global online auction platform includes the intuitive Copart Seller App, which allows you to do everything from scanning VINS to listing to marking cars for transport in one place.
Copart was founded in 1982 and sells over 2 million vehicles annually. If you're looking for a reputable auto auction site that will deliver exactly what it promises, it's the way to go.
2. ACV AUCTIONS
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For car dealers searching for free online car auction sites, check out ACV Auctions. This company uses industry-leading vehicle condition reports, so you'll get full transparency about the cars you want to buy.
The vehicle auctions at ACV Auctions are just 20 minutes long and give you access to thousands of car dealers and private sellers.
It's also a great platform for car dealerships to auction vehicles, considering their strong reputation among the online car-buying public.
ACV Auctions does everything in its power to give online car buyers confidence. This includes the development of their Audio Motor Profile (AMP). With this feature, you can listen to high-def audio recordings of the cars’ engines for an unparalleled inside look at your potential auction purchase.
In addition, they have Virtual Lift, which gives you high-definition pictures of car undercarriages. Combined with AMP, customers can rest assured that they have a near-complete picture of what they're buying.
What's great about ACV Auctions' app is that it provides a seamless car title transfer process. In addition, they offer extended buyer assurance with 10-day arbitration protection free of charge. If you want 20 or 30 days of protection, you can pay extra for that.
ACV Auctions offers free sign-up and low buy fees. You'll also have peace of mind knowing that they feature a secure transaction platform.
3. IAAI
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IAAI is an online car auction run by Insurance Auto Auctions. Founded in 1982, IAAI has a lucrative history of auctioning cars.
This is another site that sells salvage vehicles. As the name suggests, it features insurance auctions, too. Other cars it offers include total-loss, fleet lease, recovered-theft, and dealer trade-in vehicles.
Several options are available when you use this auction site. They are:
· IAA Online (online auction with over 190 branches and live auctioneers)
· IAA Timed Auctions (individual auctions for vehicles)
· IAA Buy Now (purchase a vehicle immediately)
· IAA Online Exclusive (series of auctions on specific types of cars, such as RVs)
· IAA Screen Sale (bid on a screen at an IAA branch)
A plus of getting your vehicles through IAAI is that they offer many payment options, which makes the entire car purchasing process easier.
If you have a dealer's license, you don't have to pay an annual fee on IAAI. Those without a license must pay $200 annually. Furthermore, IAAI dealers are given plenty of tools to auction vehicles on the site and receive premium access to top vehicles available only to licensed dealers.
4. OPENLANE
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OpenLane offers many used vehicles from manufacturers, fleet companies, and other dealers. This gives dealers access to a diverse range of inventory without needing to visit physical auctions.
OpenLane's online marketplace is available 24/7, and its auction technology has earned it big business from small dealers, big dealerships, rental companies, and top manufacturers. Get access to off-lease and manufacturer vehicles and sell aged and excess inventory to a growing number of auction customers around the world.
With competitive fees, a strong customer base, and great reviews on several major platforms, OpenLane is a major player in the online car auction site sphere for dealers all over the United States.
5. AUTOBIDMASTER
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If you're just starting your car dealership or looking to get a jump on inventory, AutoBidMaster will be your saving grace. AutoBidMaster is a registered Copart broker that gives everyone access to over 162,000 cars – even without a dealer's license!
Furthermore, AutoBidMaster's focus on salvage and used vehicles means that cars often auction for less than the price points paid at most major online dealer auctions. You can join on different membership tiers depending on your buying habits, and the company offers fantastic support in titling and vehicle condition reports.
This company is dedicated to refreshing its stock daily and weekly, so whenever you log on, you'll probably find new vehicles. They even stock motorcycles and quad bikes sometimes, so you never know what you'll see!
A Few Online Car Auction Tips For Dealers
Remember, online car auction sites are proprietary platforms looking to make money, just like car dealers are. There are some things to keep in mind before jumping into buying vehicles for your dealership on an online auto auction site.
The 5 car auction websites above are the pick of the litter for USA car dealers. However, they may not all meet your needs. All car dealers are looking for different clientele, both to buy cars from and sell them. Most auto auction websites do well in some niches, like salvage cars, and less in others, like classic vehicles. Be sure to look into the testimonials of the auction websites you're considering.
Use a tool like the Nexus Dealer Portal to compare and contrast different auto auction options, both online and in-person. The more you know who's buying what and why, the better you can find profitable angles to exploit.
Are you looking to offload old inventory quickly? Do you need to buy a certain number of Teslas or Toyotas in a single sitting? Look critically at the auction websites you're studying to see if they meet and exceed your dealership's specific needs.
Don't put all your eggs in one online car auction basket and get smacked by fees you didn't expect or understand. Also, be truthful about your car shipping budget and what profit percentage you're looking for. Sometimes, it's better to look in person or source private sellers (as with the help of the Nexus Dealer Portal) to fill in inventory gaps.
Auction or buy a car or two to start per platform. See how you feel about the entire experience, from listing to mid-auction technology to the aftermath of a sale. Write down the pros and cons, and analyze what you gained from the sale. Use that information to double down on the right online auto auction source.
