Sell your classic safely & easily at auctions.

Listing an auction on Classic Trader is free of charge for sellers.

Our selection criteria are independent of the vehicle’s condition. What matters most is the extent and quality of the documentation regarding its history, maintenance, and restoration. We seek transparent listings that allow potential buyers to bid with confidence, ensuring there are no unwelcome surprises.

For over a decade, Classic Trader has been passionately dedicated to the international marketing of collector vehicles. With listings from over 35 countries and buyers from nearly every corner of the globe, international vehicle marketing is ingrained in our DNA. Additionally, we offer certified services for every step of the marketing and sales process, guiding you through all auction phases—from promotion to delivery. We’re here to assist you every step of the way.

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Classic Trader auctions typically run for 12 days. This carefully considered timeframe allows potential bidders to become emotionally invested, to imagine themselves behind the wheel, and to truly appreciate the unique characteristics and history of each car - fostering a dynamic bidding environment. 12 days provide ample time for the right enthusiasts and collectors to discover, investigate, and fall in love with the vehicles on offer.

For admission for an auction at Classic Trader, the following information must be provided:

Mandatory:

1. Basic data for the precise identification of the vehicle model, including the first registration (Classic Trader vehicle database)
2. At least 50 high resolution vehicle images that indicate the current condition of the vehicle (see Classic Trader’s photo-guideline)
3. A textual description of the current condition (see Classic Trader’s guidelines for an optimal vehicle description).
4. Information on history and provenance
5. Information on maintenance, repairs, and restoration
6. Information on the reserve price, below which you do not wish to sell the vehicle

Optional for the application process, mandatory for an auction:

1. A current vehicle appraisal (see CT Inspections sample report)
2. Proofs of originality (if applicable)
3. Documentation of history and provenance
4. Records of maintenance, repairs, and restoration etc.

We strive to list your auction promptly. Our carefully curated schedule is designed to attract as many potential buyers as possible. However, if you have a preferred time for your auction to run, please inform us, and we will make every effort to accommodate your request.

The reserve price is the minimum amount a seller is willing to accept for their vehicle. It is a confidential figure set before the auction begins. If bidding does not reach this amount, the vehicle will not be sold. The reserve price safeguards the seller from having to part with their vehicle for less than they deem acceptable. Buyers should be aware that even if they place the highest bid, if it does not meet or exceed the reserve price, they will not win the auction. This mechanism ensures that both sellers and buyers have fair expectations and outcomes in the auction process.

The estimate provides potential bidders with a valuable insight into the expected value of a vehicle. This price range, carefully determined by Classic Trader, reflects market analysis, previous sales of similar vehicles, and the vehicles’s unique condition and rarity. The estimate acts as a guiding beacon for potential bidders, helping them envision the possible cost and worth of the vehicle. However, it is not a fixed price and does not guarantee the final selling price, which could be higher or lower depending on the bidding activity and the reserve price The estimate ensures transparency and sets realistic expectations for both buyers and sellers in the auction process. This balance of informed anticipation and market dynamics makes the estimate an essential component of the auction process, fostering trust and excitement for both buyers and sellers.

Creating a professional sales text with a precise description of the vehicle’s condition, history, provenance, and comparison to its original state is crucial for several reasons. First, it ensures that potential buyers have a clear and comprehensive understanding of the vehicle on offer. Second, detailed and accurate descriptions build trust, demonstrating that the seller is transparent and knowledgeable about the vehicle. Highlighting the vehicle’s history and provenance adds value and context, allowing buyers to appreciate its uniqueness and heritage. Additionally, comparing the current condition to its original state provides a clear picture of any restorations or modifications, helping buyers make informed decisions. Ultimately, a well-crafted sales text attracts serious buyers, sets realistic expectations, and facilitates a smoother and more successful transaction.

We recommend using our concierge service ».

The auction listing is typically written by the seller themselves. Classic Trader offers a Concierge Service that handles the vehicle description, including the compilation and review of all provided documents.

Contact our concierge service »

For a successful vehicle sale at auction, it’s essential to provide a detailed description of both the special features and any damages. Highlighting unique aspects of your vehicle attracts interested buyers, while clearly outlining any damages builds trust and ensures transparency. Buyers are more likely to place confident bids when they have a complete and honest picture of the vehicle’s condition. This transparency helps avoid surprises, fosters trust, and ultimately leads to a smoother and more successful transaction.

Please ensure that all documents are well-organized and of high quality. Digital copies should be submitted in a readable format, while original documents are best kept safely at your home. Important documents include, for example: birth certificate, registration certificates, appraisals, invoices, restoration documentation, historic photos, proof of previous ownership, import documents, purchase contracts, maintenance and storage records, mileage verification, etc.

Professional, high-resolution photos from various angles help your vehicle stand out from the crowd. Buyers gain the necessary information for a quick purchasing decision through a comprehensive view and detailed shots of every important aspect. It’s crucial to give buyers a realistic impression of your vehicle by including areas that might need repairs. It’s perfectly acceptable for your vehicle to show signs of use – after all, it’s not brand new and these marks reflect its history! The more honestly a vehicle is presented, the more likely it is to attract buyers who fall in love with it and are eager to bid on it.

We recommend using our photography service >>

You are welcome to use our photo guide as a template to capture the right and important perspectives of your classic car and to present your vehicle in the proverbial ""best light"". If you need assistance in taking the right and important pictures for your auction advert, we have a worldwide network of photographers who will be happy to help you take professional photos for the best possible presentation of your vehicle.

We recommend using our photography service ».

Once an auction has started (been published), the listing can only be edited by the Classic Trader team. Independent editing is not possible. Please contact your Classic Trader Sales Team representative for assistance: auctions@classic-trader.com.

Through the comment function available for each auction on Classic Trader, you have the opportunity to answer questions from potential buyers directly as comments. This allows potential buyers to receive quick and direct responses. Additionally, other potential buyers benefit from your answers, as these are visible to all users.

It is entirely natural for potential buyers to want to see your vehicle in person. Classic Trader Auctions are online-events and aim to offer the highest possible level of transparency through a large number of high-resolution images, an exact description of the vehicle & history and an independent appraisal. Nevertheless, we support a in-person viewing of the vehicle during the preview phase and also during the ongoing online auction in the interests of a quick and sustainable purchase decision. The Classic Trader auction team will be happy to assist in arranging an appointment between the buyer and seller and will also ensure that the potential buyers are serious and genuine during these discussions.

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The minimum price can be reduced at any time. Please contact our Classic Trader Auctions Team ».

The advertisement can only be cancelled after the start (publication) of an auction for good cause, e.g. damage to the vehicle. In such a case, a case-related cancellation fee of up to 5% of the vehicle value of the cancelled auction will be charged. In any case, please contact your Classic Trader Auctions Team as soon as possible.

It is understandable that you are interested in all aspects of your auction. However, at Classic Trader it is not possible to bid on your own auction listing. This rule is in place to ensure the integrity and fairness of our auctions. Our aim is to create a transparent and trustworthy platform for all participants. If sellers were to bid on their own listings, this could undermine the trust of other bidders and distort competition. To avoid this, we have strict guidelines to ensure that all bids come from independent and interested buyers.

We can only recommend one truly secure method in accordance with modern money laundering standards: The escrow service: Use an escrow service where the money is held securely in an escrow account and you can be sure that you will receive your money when you have handed over the vehicle. For more information or country specific recommendations please contact our Classic Trader Auctions Team.

At the end of an auction with a winning bid, a purchase contract is formed between the seller and the highest bidder (buyer). This purchase contract complies with international law and is binding for both the buyer and the seller. After the successful conclusion of an auction, the contact details of the seller and buyer are exchanged to organise the payment and transfer of the vehicle. Arrangements for payment and handover are made directly between the seller and buyer. Should any support be needed during this process, the Classic Trader Auctions Team ».

If the reserve price of an auction has not been reached or exceeded at the end of an auction and the auction therefore ends without a winning bid, the auction was unsuccessful and without a direct sale of the vehicle. But, you can still reduce your reserve price up to 10 days after an auctions’ end, so that a successful conclusion is still possible after the auction. Please contact the Classic Trader Auction Team » if you have any questions.

If your auction on Classic Trader was not successful, you can easily convert your auction advert into a classified ad. The existing information, images and descriptions are already at the highest level due to the high requirements of Classic Trader auctions and can be used unchanged. This means that your vehicle remains visible and accessible to potential buyers. Simply contact the Classic Trader Auctions Team » – we will be happy to help you make the change smoothly and quickly.