If you are the winning bidder, you will finalize the vehicle purchase directly with the selling dealership, just like a standard retail transaction.

DealerAuction does not collect payment for the vehicle. The purchase price, taxes, title, license, and any other required fees are handled directly by the dealership.

To help ensure serious bidding, a refundable $100 hold will be placed on the credit card connected to your DealerAuction account. Once the dealership confirms that your transaction has been finalized, the $100 hold will be released or refunded.

No. Creating an account and registering as a buyer on DealerAuction is free. You can sign up and browse available vehicles at no cost.

To place a bid, you'll need to have a valid credit card on file. When you place a bid, a refundable $100 hold will be placed on your card to help ensure serious bidding and protect the integrity of the marketplace.

This is not a charge and is not payment for the vehicle.

If you do not win the auction, the hold will be released or refunded after the auction ends. If you are the winning bidder, the hold will be released or refunded once the selling dealership confirms that the transaction has been finalized.

You'll complete payment for the vehicle directly with the selling dealership.

$100

When you place a bid, DealerAuction places a refundable $100 hold on the credit card connected to your account. This helps ensure serious bidding and keeps the auction fair for all participants.

This is not a charge and is not payment for the vehicle.

If you do not win the auction, the hold will be released or refunded after the auction ends. If you are the winning bidder, the hold will remain in place until the selling dealership confirms that your purchase has been finalized. Once confirmed, the hold will be released or refunded.

Please note that while DealerAuction releases the hold, it may take a few days for your bank or credit card issuer to make the funds available again.

The $100 hold is refundable in most cases. If you do not win the auction, the hold will be released or refunded after the auction ends. If you win and complete the purchase with the selling dealership, the hold will be released or refunded once the dealer confirms the transaction is finalized.

The hold may become non-refundable if you are the winning bidder and do not complete the purchase within the required timeframe, fail to move forward with the dealership, or otherwise do not honor your winning bid.

This policy helps keep DealerAuction fair for all bidders and ensures that vehicles are being bid on by serious buyers. If an auction is cancelled by the dealership or the vehicle is no longer available due to an issue outside of your control, your hold will be released or refunded.

Yes. The winning bid is the price you will pay for the vehicle, however the winning bid does not include taxes, title, license, and other required fees.

Dealerships cannot add charges for additional equipment or options after the auction. Any dealer-installed features must either be included in the winning bid price or offered as optional for you to choose.

You may still be offered financing, warranties, or protection products — but these are completely optional and not required to complete your purchase.

Because the cars on DealerAuction aren’t available to the public at these prices anywhere else.

Most cars on DealerAuction were likely scheduled to be sold through a dealer-only wholesale channel — a closed system the public cannot access. DealerAuction gives you access to this inventory before it leaves the dealership.

Dealers set their reserve at or BELOW wholesale value. Dealers prefer selling retail over wholesale — even at a lower margin — because:

• They avoid auction fees
• They avoid transportation costs
• They get the car off the books faster

Because of this, we require our dealer partners to set their reserve price at or below what they would accept at a wholesale auction. You’re paying wholesale-level pricing for a retail-quality vehicle — something you simply can’t get by walking onto a lot.

DealerAuction’s hold fee isn’t just a charge — it protects the integrity of the auction. By requiring a hold fee, we reduce non-serious bidding and create a level playing field. That means when you place a bid, you’re competing against real buyers — not inflated or artificial activity. The result is a more transparent, more trustworthy marketplace where pricing reflects genuine demand.

You get dealer-quality vehicles — not typical “wholesale” risks. Unlike most public auctions, every DealerAuction vehicle:

• Is fully reconditioned
• Is inspected by certified dealership technicians
• Is free of mechanical defects
• Is eligible for financing and extended warranties
• Comes from reputable retail dealers — not unknown sources

This is a dramatically safer and higher-quality buying path than traditional auctions.

The Max Bid feature allows you to set the highest amount you're willing to pay for a vehicle.

If another bidder places a higher bid, DealerAuction will automatically increase your bid by the next required bid increment on your behalf — up to your maximum amount.

If two bidders enter the same max bid, the bidder who set their max bid first will take the lead.

You can update or increase your maximum bid at any time before the auction closes.

Your maximum bid is completely private and is not visible to other bidders or the dealership.

Because you are purchasing directly from a licensed dealership, any issues with the vehicle are handled by that dealership — just like a traditional car purchase.

If your vehicle is covered by a warranty, the dealership will work with you to address the issue. You may also have additional protections depending on the vehicle’s warranty, manufacturer coverage, or applicable state laws.

DealerAuction connects you with trusted dealerships, so you have a clear point of contact and accountability after the sale.