sell your car at a california car auction

Tips on How to Sell Your Car at Auction from an Experienced Automotive Wholesaler

California auto auctions offer a secure and convenient way to sell your car, truck, or SUV. They handle the whole process, so you don’t have to deal with the usual headaches of private sales. Plus, auctions attract a wide range of buyers, increasing your chances of a good sale price.

I’ve found that these auctions aren’t just for typical passenger vehicles either. You’ll see motorcycles, RVs, even boats sometimes. It’s a great option if you’re looking to sell quickly and easily.

In my experience, California offers a variety of ways to sell vehicles, but using an auto auction is by far the easiest and most efficient. It saves you time and avoids the stress of private sales, making it a surprisingly simple process.

Car Auction Seller’s Fee Calculator

Use my calculator below to determine how much your car needs to bring in the auction in order to receive a certain amount, after auction fees.

These fees are provided as an example, and can vary from auction to auction. Also, I suggest trying to haggle a bit with the auction to get it reduced, if they need inventory bad enough.

California Car Auction Seller’s Fee Calculator

public car auction in California
This shows that selling your car at auction does not require much from you at all. As you can see, the auction handles everything and you just provide the vehicle and the price you want for it.

Selling a Car at an Auto Auction in California

Can I set a price for my car or does it sell for how much it brings during the auto auction?

Similar to eBay Motors, you can set a minimum reserve price for your car so that it will not be sold unless it brings at least that amount. It is not unusual for a private seller to run their vehicle through the auction a few times before the vehicle is sold.

How do I determine how much I should sell my vehicle for?

You could use Kelly Blue Book as a starting point. Also, here is a guide for finding out how much your car is worth.

How much does it cost to sell my vehicle at an auto auction?

There is a seller’s fee charged when a car is sold. The amount depends on the auction location and also how much the car sold for. Typically, this will range around $200 – $300, but can be much higher for expensive vehicles ($10,000+).

Do I need to be at the auction when the car sells?

No, if you agree on a selling price with the auction beforehand, they can handle the sale and the paperwork for you.

How long until I will be paid by the auction when I sell my car?

It could take 1-2 business days before you will be paid by check.

a photo of a public auto auction in San Diego with a red car surrounded by bidders and a ring man

Selling your car at a California auction is a breeze. That’s the whole point, right? It’s the quickest and easiest way to unload a vehicle without the usual hassles. Forget about flaky buyers, online scammers, and all the other headaches that come with selling privately.

As long as the title’s in your name and free of any liens, most California auctions will be happy to help you sell it. I’ve even seen some auctions offer to buy the car directly from the seller! They’ll usually handle the paperwork and DMV stuff too, which is a huge time saver.

California Auction Locations with Addresses and Phone Numbers

Juan Carlos
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