A new game in town?

We are well used to online auction platforms by now.  Collecting cars started in 2019.  C&C in 2020 and Pistonheads in 2023.  They exploded in popularity during covid when people couldn’t visit a showroom or an auction hall.

But there is a grand daddy of online auctions out there.

Bring a Trailer started in 2007 as a blog and became an online auction in 2010 in the US.  Since then, the numbers are now staggering (from last year):

£1.28bn in vehicle sales
49,486 vehicles sold
1.65 million members

Wow.

Now they are starting in the UK – through partners.

BaT has been updated to offer an optimum service for UK enthusiasts, including currency conversions for British and European buyers.

Auctions on BaT run for seven days, and any bids placed in the final two minutes see the clock reset to ensure a fair finish.

UK listings will cost from £79, with a ‘BaT Plus’ option including on-demand photography priced at £239.

Buyers will pay fees of five percent on the final sale price, capped at a maximum of £5,000 – a figure lower than most other auction houses.

For a limited time to celebrate the UK launch, however, seller fees will be fully waived, with BaT Plus photography reduced to £129.

Here is the founder, Randy Nonnenberg:

“The UK has a passionate, knowledgeable collector car community and an extraordinary depth of automotive heritage,” he said. “We’ve watched closely as British sellers and buyers have organically found their way onto BaT, compelled by the variety, vibrant discussion and market-setting results.

“We have worked to optimise the BaT experience for UK users based on their feedback, and we are very excited to offer our uniquely transparent and effective auction model to UK buyers and sellers, whether they want to self-serve or engage local partner support.”

They certainly seem to have hit the ground running.  A quick check shows 367 UK cars listed here.

And my advice stays the same.  Don’t get too excited about a car you see online.  Do your due diligence, go and see it.  Get expert advice before bidding.

Thanks,
Neil @ Carrosserie
Tel: 01833 630 011

PS. If we can help with your classic please get in touch.