Cars and Bids Review

Move over eBay. There's a new online auction marketplace in town, and it's taking the automobile sector by storm.

We are, of course, talking about Cars & Bids, the platform making waves amongst car enthusiasts for its wide selection of epic vehicles that are all being bid upon by thousands of dedicated community members. Although relatively new to the scene, the platform is shaping up to be the dominant website for buying and selling cars across the internet.

But why would anyone who has had success elsewhere move their new listings to Cars & Bids? What advantages does this platform have over the competition? How does it all work? These questions and many more are answered below in our in-depth review of Cars & Bids. Read on to find out everything you need to know about the platform.

Cars and Bids: Overview

At its surface, Cars & Bids is an online platform for buying and selling vehicles through the auction system, where interested buyers bid on a seller's vehicle until the auction closes and the highest bidder is found. Then the buyer ships the car to their driveway and enjoys their new ride..

But underneath the transactions exists a vast community of car enthusiasts that are having fun talking about, and fighting over, cool cars.

This community aspect arose in part from the niche in which Cars & Bids places itself: The Modern Enthusiast Car. These vehicles, manufactured anywhere between the 1980s, 2000s, and beyond, had been an underserved market in the online car auction space. That is until an influential figure in the auto industry decided to take advantage of it.

Star Power

Doug DeMuro is a famous automotive reviewer who has worked for top publications like Jalopnik and AutoTrader, and who has built a Youtube channel of over 4 million subscribers by talking about the interesting oddities of cool vehicles.

Deciding that the market for modern cars was ripe, he launched Cars & Bids in 2020. The first car ever listed and sold on the website was his own, a 2012 Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG Wagon, and he would go on to sell and review other vehicles on the thriving platform.

Cars & Bids was not without competition though. Another platform for buying and selling modern cars, Bring A Trailer was already established by the launch of Cars & Bids. To this day they remain their largest competitor but are losing ground against Cars & Bids due to having a comparatively unfavorable seller environment.

What They Offer

Cars & Bids aims to simplify both the buying and selling process so that anyone could use the platform effectively. Buyers pay one simple fee to the platform once they place a bid, and are provided all the information they need on a vehicle upfront so that they don't have to hunt for it themselves.

Sellers' listing fees are just as simple, and the process for submitting cars for the platform has been streamlined such that only crucial details are asked for by the Car's & Bids team. That way, anyone who desires to sell their car on the platform can do so quickly and easily.

Here is a quick list of the advantages Cars & Bids offers to its users:

• Accessible & User Friendly
• Streamlined Process
• Chance of your vehicle being reviewed by Doug Demuro
• Vibrant Community of like-minded Individuals
• Low & Minimal Fees

How Cars and Bids Buying Process Works:

The first step in the Cars & Bids buying process is to browse the website and find a car that you want to purchase. There are thousands of listings for all kinds of modern cars available on the site every day, so you will have no trouble finding something to your liking.

Once you've found a car you'd like to bid on, the next step is to register a valid phone number and credit card with Cars & Bids. It's important to note here that a 4.5% buyer's fee paid to Cars & Bids is added on top of all winning bid amounts. Factor this cost into your budget before bidding.

Do Your Homework

Before deciding to bid on any vehicle, review the listing as well as you can. The seller will have provided photos, information about the vehicle's history and maintenance, and other useful information for you to review before placing your bid. It's also highly recommended that you arrange a vehicle inspection with the seller to ensure the car is up to standard.

The seller should also be available for any questions or concerns you may have about the vehicle. Cars & Bids is a vibrant community known for being full of happy car guys, so they'll be happy to talk to you about the car anytime.

Make Arrangements

Arranging logistics is a must for an easy, smooth transaction between you and the seller. Luckily, Cars & Bids helps make it easy through their recommendations of shipping services that offer free quotes. If instead, you prefer to pick up the vehicle yourself, talk with the seller to arrange it.

Vehicles sold on Cars & Bids are also able to be financed instead of purchased outright. If this is the route you intend to take, be sure that your financing is approved by your lender for the specific vehicle ahead of time. Problems with financing after winning the auction will only cause issues for all parties.

Time for Battle

Once you've found a car you're interested in, done your research, and arranged everything, it's time to place your bid. But before you do, there are three things to keep in mind:

• The moment you bid, a hold for the buyer's fee will be placed on your credit card
• Bids are legally binding. If you win, there is no going back and no refunds
• Any bids placed in the final minute resets the clock by one minute

If you're still ready to move forward after understanding those rules, then place your bid.

The common way to win an online car auction is to simply have the highest bid by the end of the auction. Cars and Bids, however, gives its sellers the option to set a hidden reserve price threshold that must be achieved for any bid to win. If you win, you'll be connected to the seller to finalize the transaction.

How Cars and Bids Selling Process Works:

Much like the buying process, Cars and Bids streamline and simplifies the selling process. Being a seller on this platform is heaven compared to other online car auction websites, as the founders behind the platform know that their business model hinges on a seller-oriented community.

Submitting your car to be considered for listing on the platform is completely free. Cars & Bids will ask for details about the car, photos, and some follow-up questions about the vehicle if need be. They will also ask you for and suggest a reserve, or minimum price that you would sell your vehicle for.

Pre-Auction

After your submission clears the initial screening, the Cars & Bids team will ask for and verify additional information about you and the vehicle. This information includes things like:

• Ownership History
• Title Transfer Process
• Platform Exclusivity

The final step in this process is to pay a small listing fee of $49, or $89 for first-time sellers with a reserve.

Once you've paid the listing fee, had all necessary information verified by the Cars & Bids team, and provided enough quality photos of your car, you will be presented with a draft of your future listing that you can approve. If you decide to go through, then congratulations. You're going to auction a vehicle online.

Showtime

However, your work does not stop there. Cars and Bids is a community, not just a used car site. Sellers are expected to be present throughout their auctions, answering any questions people may have about the car and contributing to the discussion. This participation is fun for everyone and will drive additional interest and higher bids to your listing.

When the timer winds down and the highest bidder is found, your auction will be complete. At this time, Cars & Bids will connect you and the winner to finalize details about the transaction. And in the case that you had a reserve price that was not met, the team will work with you and the buyer to negotiate a favorable deal for everyone.

Post Auction

Anyone that buys a car through Cars and Bids must pay the full amount within a week of the auction closing. So you need not worry about hunting down fickle buyers. To make the process easier, the platform recommends that a bill of sale be created and signed by both parties that describes all the transaction details, and that payment happens by wire transfer or cashier's check.

Only when you've received your payment in full and without issue should you hand over the title. Prior arrangements for pick up or shipping of the vehicle will likely have been set between you and the buyer, but if not, now is the time to iron that out. Once you are paid and the vehicle leaves your possession, the sale is complete.

Our Thoughts

Ultimately, there is a reason why so many people deem Cars & Bids as the best online car auction website: Everything from the buying process to the selling process is short, simple, and sweet. Anyone can truly use the platform to meet their needs without hassle.

That being said, the platform is not for everyone. If you prefer cars of an older generation, pre-1980, then you'll be out of luck here. Also, anyone looking to find a great car with a budget of less than $15,000 might find better results on other platforms.

The Face Of Cars & Bids

In terms of its famous founder, Doug does a great job of lending his credibility and automobile expertise to the Cars & Bids brand. Without him at the head, the platform would not be nearly as successful as it is either in terms of revenue or community.

But when it comes down to actual listings and transactions, Doug's influence is minimal at best. Reviews of listings are few and far between, and cars that are reviewed would likely have done well in an auction with or without Doug's help.

While personal help from Doug may not be all that useful, the assistance and recommendations from the platform are. Whether you are the buyer or seller, the team behind Cars & Bids walks you through the entire process. Nothing is left unclear, and they are always there for you if you need it.

Use At Your Discretion

However, the responsibility for ensuring a safe and fruitful transaction always falls to the user. If as a seller, you place a reserve price that massively over-values your vehicle such that no one wants it, that's on you. And if you're a buyer who bids on a car without doing your homework, and end up winning a car you don't want, that's on you too.

Alternatives to Cars and Bids like Bring A Trailer, eBay, or other online auction marketplaces are available if you are unsure if the platform is right for you. The danger though, is that you would lose out on the advantages that Cars and Bids offers by being a dedicated car marketplace made by a passionate car guy (see advantages above).

And above all else, you would use out on the one thing which sets Cars and Bids apart from the rest: The Community. After all, the only thing better to a car guy than geeking out over an awesome whip is geeking out about that car with someone who loves cars just as much as they do.

How does Cars & Bids ensure transparency and trust in its auction process?

So, how does Cars & Bids earn the trust of buyers and sellers—and keep surprises to a minimum? It all starts with their commitment to clear information and open communication, reinforced by some clever auction safeguards.

• Thorough Listings
  Every seller is asked to provide a wealth of details about their car: high-resolution images from all angles, an honest and comprehensive description, and, when possible, a video that gives you a virtual walkaround (and maybe even a taste of that exhaust note). This isn’t just to pad out the listing; the idea is to give potential buyers the full story upfront. The fewer mysteries, the less likely you’ll find yourself with a “project car” you didn’t bargain for.

• Sniping? Not Here
  If you’ve ever lost sleep (and maybe your patience) over someone swooping in with a last-second bid, good news: Cars & Bids uses automatic auction extensions. Every late-breaking bid near the end stretches the clock a bit, so everyone gets a fair shot—no more frantic refreshes or heartbreaks at the finish line.

• A Real Car Community
  What’s especially refreshing? The active comment sections on listings. Buyers and onlookers alike can chime in, grill the seller about service records, or simply debate whether those wheels are a questionable upgrade. Doug DeMuro himself sometimes joins the fray. It’s part Q&A, part car meet-up, and it means significant details rarely slip through the cracks.

• Secure Transactions and Support
  Trust doesn’t stop when the auction ends. Cars & Bids holds payments in escrow until both sides confirm everything’s settled—think of it as a digital handshake with extra backup. And if something does go sideways, their team offers mediation to help smooth out any disputes.

Together, these practices create an environment where honesty is baked into the bidding process, and both buyers and sellers can engage with confidence.

What protections are in place for buyers and sellers on Cars & Bids

Cars & Bids has you covered. Both buyers and sellers benefit from secure escrow services, ensuring that payment is collected and safely held until both parties have fulfilled their obligations. Plus, if any misunderstandings arise, the platform offers built-in dispute resolution support to help everyone reach a fair and prompt solution. These protections give both sides added peace of mind, so you can focus on the thrill of the auction—not the potential pitfalls.

What kind of user experiences and feedback does Cars & Bids receive from buyers and sellers?

The general consensus is overwhelmingly positive—there’s a clear appreciation for how straightforward, transparent, and community-oriented the platform has become.

For buyers, the biggest points of praise are the simple site layout and informative car listings. Users love that high-quality photos and videos accompany most vehicles, helping bidders feel confident in what they’re getting into. The active comments section lets prospective buyers ask questions directly, making the whole process feel more friendly than faceless.

For sellers, the process is just as smooth. Even first-timers mention that listing a car is refreshingly easy, thanks to user-friendly submissions, practical seller tools, and a responsive support team. The platform's focus on unique, enthusiast-oriented vehicles also means sellers often connect with others who truly appreciate their cars—which can lead to better results and, yes, some lively discussions.

Of course, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Some sellers with less-mainstream vehicles may notice fewer bids due to the site’s focus on modern and enthusiast cars. And while fees are reasonable—especially compared to some alternatives—they’re still something sellers and buyers should factor into their plans.

But all things considered, the reputation of Cars & Bids rests on delivering what it promises: a streamlined, transparent, and enjoyable experience for modern car enthusiasts on both sides of the deal.

Can you place a maximum bid, and how does automatic bidding function?

Absolutely—you can set a maximum bid on Cars & Bids. This handy feature lets you decide the most you're willing to spend, and the system will automatically increase your bid only as much as needed to keep you in the lead, up to your limit. That means you don't have to remain glued to your screen as the clock winds down—just set your cap and let the platform do the heavy lifting for you.

Automatic bidding is especially helpful toward the end of the auction when things heat up. You’ll stay competitive without having to manually update your bid every time someone else jumps in. Just remember, once your max is reached, the system stops bidding for you—so make sure you’re comfortable with the number you enter!

How Escrow & Dispute Resolution Work on Cars & Bids?

Just like you’d expect from a platform built by car enthusiasts for car enthusiasts, Cars & Bids goes the extra mile to protect both buyers and sellers once the virtual hammer falls.

Escrow: Your Safety Net

When a sale is made, payment doesn’t go straight from buyer to seller. Instead, Cars & Bids uses an escrow service, much like the vault at Fort Knox—your money is held securely and only released after both parties have played their part. This means the seller won’t see your cash until you’ve had a chance to receive the car, kick the tires, and make sure everything matches the listing. If something’s not right, nobody’s left high and dry.

Resolving Disputes

On the rare chance there’s a hiccup—maybe you discover something unexpected with the car, or there’s a delay in payment—Cars & Bids helps mediate between buyer and seller. The platform steps in to help resolve miscommunications, condition discrepancies, or payment issues before they turn into real headaches. Think of it as having a pit crew ready to get things back on track if there’s a bump in the road.

Open Channels Are Key

Transparency is at the heart of every listing. Cars & Bids encourages buyers and sellers to communicate openly and directly through comments and questions. So if you’re ever uncertain, you can get clarifications straight from the source—no secrecy, just honest car talk.

These systems are all about fostering trust and making sure every transaction is as smooth as a freshly paved highway.

What If There’s a Dispute?

Sometimes, even with the smoothest transactions, the unexpected can happen. If issues or misunderstandings do arise between the buyer and seller after the auction, Cars & Bids steps in with a helping hand. Their team offers mediation and support to help both parties reach a fair solution.

Still, you’re encouraged to first try ironing out any problems directly with the other party—often, a clear conversation clears things right up. But if you reach a stalemate, Cars & Bids’ dispute resolution team is there to assist and facilitate a resolution, making sure the process stays as headache-free as possible.

Is there a mobile app for Cars & Bids, or is the website mobile-friendly?

Thinking about scrolling through auctions on your phone during a lunch break or while waiting in line at Starbucks? While there’s no Cars & Bids mobile app just yet, the good news is you won’t have to miss out on the action. The website is fully optimized for mobile browsers, making it just as easy to browse, bid, and drool over your dream cars from any smartphone or tablet.

Simply pop open Safari, Chrome, or whatever browser suits your fancy, log in, and you’ll find the same lively auctions and vibrant community—no downloads required. So whether you’re couch-bound with your iPad or stealthily checking your phone under the dinner table, Cars & Bids has you covered.

Ready For Your First Online Car Auction? Here's What's Next...

Buying or selling in an online car auction can be a tough process. At times, it can feel overwhelming with all the things you have to keep track of, whether it be transferring titles, managing listings, or even just contacting people about the vehicle. And if you're not careful, the stress can cause deals to fall through. Or even worse, cause bad deals to go through.

Why not make things easier for yourself? Use our service to take care of transporting your vehicle wherever it needs to go and gain a bit more peace of mind during your auction experience.