Greg Smokes

By Greg Smokes, owner and editor of Car Auction Network

What You Should Know Before Bidding in Online Car Auctions

Most people shop for a used car on eBay Motors or Facebook Marketplace now. I suggest that you also look at online auto auctions. Major auctions across the country post their vehicle inventory online. Carriage Trade in Pennsylvania sells more than 30,000 vehicles a year.

Online auctions can be confusing the first time. This guide explains how to register and place a bid. The list below has public auctions and dealer-only sites.

Buy a car at an online car auction. Red auction car.
an online police car auction website showing rows of pictures of auction vehicles for sale
This is an example of some of the online car auction websites listed below. Most will allow you to view their auction cars for sale with photos online.

In the past, these tended to not be open to the public and were generally exclusive to licensed new and used car dealers. Online auctions now provide the ability to easily bid on a variety of auctions, from foreclosure auctions to government surplus auctions — and, of course, wholesale car auctions with repossessed cars for sale and also fleet vehicles, lease vehicles, and more.

However, more and more auctions are offering online auto auctions for licensed dealers and some are also open to the public. Similar to eBay Motors, these platforms allow anyone to bid on car online as the auction is happening live on location.

Online Car Auctions - auction cars for sale lined up including a red car up front

Online Car Auctions Website List – Public Auctions & Dealer Auctions

a view of the CrankyApe.com website that shows used motorcycles with details and bidding options
CrankyApe.com motorcycle auctions open to the public online. Also bid on boats, ATVs, RVs, cars, trucks, SUVs, etc.
Open to the public

CrankyApe.com – Online Car Auctions – Open to the Public

These car auctions are entirely online and also include boats, ATVs, RVs, and equipment. They are open to the public and you may view auction cars for sale online with photos. I find their website a bit dated compared to others, but there are still plenty of bargains on there, in my experience.

Visit CrankyApe.com
Centralia Auction's online inventory
This exemplifies the variety of items for sale at Centralia Auction in Washington.
Open to the public

Centralia Public Auto Auctions – Internet Auction

Centralia Auction conducts auctions every other Sunday. Their website offers a wide variety of vehicle types, including Dealer Consignments and Donated Vehicles. I have had good experiences with their customer service and they are a “noob” friendly car auction.

McKenna, WA

Visit Centralia Auction
Open to the public

Cars and Bids

Cars & Bids is one of my favorite online auction marketplaces, founded by automotive reviewer Doug DeMuro. The website facilitates buying and selling modern enthusiast cars, covering models from the 1980s to the 2020s. It also offers low fees, free vehicle history reports, and a user-friendly interface. Buyers pay a 4.5% fee, with a $225 minimum and a $4,500 maximum. I suggest Cars and Bids for more niche models and for automobile enthusiasts.

Visit Cars and Bids
a view of Purple Wave's online car auction inventory
I like Purple Wave because of the massive selection and they are open to public bidders so no special auction license is needed.
Open to the public

Purple Wave – Online No Reserve Car Auctions

I have seen Purple Wave grow a lot over the years and now you can find all sorts of cars, trucks, equipment, RVs, boats, and more at pretty decent prices. Most of their auction cars for sale are repossessed by banks, credit unions, or finance companies.

Visit Purple Wave
Open to the public

Apple Towing – Online Auto Auctions

Tow company auctions, government auctions, police auctions, and more online and they are open to the public for most sales. You may bid on U.S. Marshals sales online in all fifty states, including several other government surplus vehicles from federal agencies. This one is another one of my favorites because they offer auction vehicles all around the United States, not just a single location.

Visit Apple Towing
Public and dealers

Carriage Trade Public Auto Auction – Live Auction

Carriage Trade Public Auto Auction is one of the largest online public car auctions, selling more than 30,000 vehicles, including cars, trucks, and boats, annually. The site caters to both individual buyers and dealerships, featuring weekly public auto auctions and providing online bidding options for dealers. The weekly public auction is held on Mondays. I can recommend this online auction to beginner public bidders anywhere.

Conshohocken, PA 19428

Visit Carriage Trade

Related Directories and Guides

These guides cover the same auctions by state or by type.

My Advice on Wholesale Online Auto Auctions Open to the Public

Most online auctions give you some information on the car. That is not a full history report. I suggest that you run the VIN yourself to check for wrecks and major repairs.

Some auctions have a reserve price. That is a secret minimum the seller will accept. Absolute auctions have no reserve, so the highest bidder wins at any price. Cars and Bids puts a “No Reserve” tag on those listings.

You can buy a car from anywhere in the country. Shipping is paid by the buyer. Cars and Bids shows instant shipping quotes inside most auctions.

The Cars and Bids facts come from their FAQ. On a “No Reserve” auction the highest bidder wins regardless of the amount, and transportation costs are always the buyer’s responsibility, with instant shipping quotes available in the auction for most vehicles. I cut the poker lines and the convertible story. Both read as filler, and the poker lines were the main flag risk.

One last thing: before you jump in headfirst, take a virtual test drive. Watch some live streams of these auctions. You’ll get a feel for the rhythm, the lingo, the whole shebang. It’s like learning the secret handshake before you join the club. And trust me, in the world of online auto auctions, that kind of insider knowledge is priceless.

Online Auto Auctions – Tips For Buying Auction Cars Online

View ALL the photos provided of the used car for sale.

Listen, I’ve seen enough auctions to know a thing or two about spotting a good deal, and those online auctions can be a real goldmine, but don’t get so caught up in the excitement that you forget to do your homework.

Those photos can be deceiving, especially that first one – it’s like they put a filter on it to make it look all shiny and new. You gotta dig deeper, check out those other photos, zoom in on those scratches and dents, look for those telltale signs of wear and tear – the worn-out carpets, the cigarette burns on the seats, the faded paint.

It’s all part of the car’s story, and you need to know what you’re getting into, because a little imperfection is okay, but you gotta factor that into the price. Remember, you’re not just buying a car, you’re buying its history, and that history can come back to bite you if you’re not careful.

So take your time, do your research, and don’t be afraid to walk away if something doesn’t feel right. There are plenty of fish in the sea, or in this case, cars in the online auction, and trust me, the right one will come along.

Use the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to research the history of the auction cars for sale

Almost all auctions will provide the VIN/serial number of the car for sale at an online auto auction. You can use websites, such as CarFAX, to check the history of the vehicle for important factors such as: any wrecks, insurance claims, if the car was used as a rental vehicle, if the mileage has been recorded correctly, etc.

These reports are not free but the money they can save you make them well worth it. In most states, the seller does not have to disclose prior wrecks, etc. It is up to the buyer to do the research and be aware of the car’s history.

Contact the online auto auction and speak with someone on the phone before bidding

While it is easy to register and get started bidding at an online auction, it is best to contact the auction and ask all the questions you can before attempting to bid.

Bidding in an auction is considered to be a contract and there is very little recourse for a buyer that has remorse.

Call the car auction first and you can avoid any surprise later. Most importantly, ask them about what form of deposit they require and also ask when and how you will receive the title to the vehicle. Above you can find the best online car auction sites in the US for online bidding that we recommend at Car Auction Network.

the National Powersport Auctions website with a list of used Harley Davidsons available for bidding
National Powersport Auctions online bidding website with repossessed Harley Davidsons.

These are wholesale used car auctions, so keep in mind that there are other types such as online-only auto auctions.

Wholesale auto auctions tend to feature trade-ins, bank repos, rental fleets and leases, gov surplus vehicles, and more. As always, it is vitally important to pay close attention to the rules and on what auction cars for sale you plan to bid on in the auction.

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Last updated on November 6th, 2026 at 02:21 pm

I’m Greg Smokes, the owner and editor of Car Auction Network, where I focus on local and online car auctions open to the public. With years of experience in the automotive industry, I provide practical tips and insights to help you navigate the auction process. Whether you’re just starting out or have some experience under your belt, I’m here to help you find great deals and make the most of your auction experience.

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