How to Buy on Bid, Buy & Drive

Bidding online for the first time? You're in the right place.
Five steps from "I like that car" to "drive it home".

Five Steps to Drive Home

Step 1 - Register

Create a free account in under a minute. We’ll need your email, name, and a password. That’s it. You can browse without an account, but bidding requires registration.

Step 2 - Watch

Find vehicles you like and add them to your watchlist. We’ll email you when bidding heats up or when the auction is closing soon.

Step 3 - Ask

Got a question about the car? Post it in the listing’s comment thread. The seller — and the wider community of collectors — can chime in. The more questions get asked, the better-informed every bidder is.

Step 4 - Bid

Place bids in real time. Set a max bid and let our system auto-bid for you up to that ceiling, or watch the action and bid manually. Once placed, bids cannot be retracted, so be deliberate.

Step 5 - Drive

 Win the auction, settle directly with the seller for payment and transport, and bring your new car home. We introduce the parties — you handle the deal.

Buyer's Premium Explained

Most online auction houses charge a Buyer’s Premium between 5% and 10% of your winning bid. We charge 2%.
 
If you win a $50,000 vehicle, your Buyer’s Premium is $1,000 — not $5,000. The Buyer’s Premium is collected by Bid, Buy & Drive at auction close and is non-refundable. The remaining payment for the vehicle goes directly to the seller, on terms you arrange together.
 
Why so much lower? We’re a marketplace, not a dealer. We don’t take possession of vehicles, we don’t hold escrow, and we don’t pad fees with services we don’t provide. Less middleman, less cost.
 Example: Winning bid $50,000 → Buyer’s Premium $1,000 → You pay BB&D $1,000 + the seller $50,000 directly.

Before you Bid: Do Your Homework

Read the listing carefully

Sellers are required to disclose known defects, accident history, and condition. Photos and video tell the rest. Look closely. If something isn’t shown, ask.

Ask in the Comments

The comment thread is where the real story comes out. Other collectors often spot details you’ll miss. Don’t hesitate to ask the seller hard questions before bidding.

Inspect or Hire an Inspector

For high-value vehicles or anything you’re serious about, we strongly recommend a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic at the vehicle’s location. This is at the buyer’s expense and is the single best protection against post-sale surprises.
Vehicles are sold AS-IS, WHERE-IS. Bid, Buy & Drive does not inspect, certify, or warrant any vehicle.

After You Win

You won. What Happens Next?

1. Paying the Buyer’s Premium
Full payment of the buyer’s premium for the winning bid is due within 3 business days of the auction close. Late payment may forfeit the deal and your account standing. The Buyer’s Premium owed to BB&D is collected through the site at auction close.
 
2. We introduce you to the seller.
Following payment of the buyer’s premium the winning bidder will receive the seller’s information and the seller receives yours.
 
3. You arrange payment directly with the seller.
Wire transfer is most common for vehicle purchases. 
 
4. You arrange transport and title transfer.
Pickup, shipping, and title transfer are between you and the seller, in compliance with the laws of your respective states. We’re happy to point you toward reputable transport services, but we don’t handle these directly.
 
5. Drive it home.
Title in hand, vehicle delivered. Welcome to the next chapter.

Common Questions

Can I retract a bid?
No. Once a bid is placed, it’s binding. We allow no retractions, no exceptions. This protects sellers and keeps auctions credible. Bid carefully.
Some auctions have a reserve — the minimum price the seller will accept. If bidding doesn’t reach the reserve, the auction ends without a sale. Listings note whether a reserve is in place; the actual reserve amount is private.
If a vehicle materially differs from the listing — undisclosed frame damage, a non-running car listed as running, title fraud — you can file a dispute within 7 days of taking possession. See our Final Sale & Dispute Policy for details. The Buyer’s Premium remains non-refundable; recourse for the vehicle itself is between you and the seller.
No. All sales are final at hammer. Auction sales are not e-commerce purchases — there’s no “return window.” Inspect before you bid.
No. BB&D is a marketplace and does not offer financing, insurance, or transport. We recommend arranging financing with your bank or credit union before bidding so you’re ready to pay quickly.
Yes. International buyers are welcome to bid, but you’ll be responsible for export documentation, shipping, and any duties or taxes in your destination country. Confirm with the seller before bidding that they’re willing to support an international transaction.
All accounts are tied to verified email addresses, payment methods, and IP records. Suspicious activity gets investigated and accounts can be suspended or banned. We also actively moderate listings and comments for off-platform circumvention attempts (see our Terms of Service.
If a listing closes without meeting reserve (or with no bids), the auction simply ends. The seller may relist. Your watchlist will reflect the listing’s status.

Ready to Find Yours?

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