Bring a Trailer vs Cars and Bids: Which Car Auction Site Is Better in 2025?

If you’re looking to buy or sell a car online, especially something special like a classic, modified, or enthusiast vehicle, you’ve likely come across two major names: Cars and Bids and Bring a Trailer. These online car auction platforms have carved out strong reputations, but they cater to different audiences, offer different fee structures, and have unique pros and cons.

In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences between Cars and Bids vs Bring a Trailer so you can confidently choose the right platform for your next car purchase or sale.

Overview: What Are Cars and Bids & Bring a Trailer?

Cars and Bids

Founded by automotive YouTuber Doug DeMuro in 2020, Cars and Bids focuses on modern enthusiast cars, typically vehicles from the 1980s to today. The platform has quickly gained traction among younger buyers and sellers looking for unique cars without the ultra-premium price tag.

Notable features:

• Modern cars (1980s–present)
• Video submissions encouraged
• Active comment section
• Seller-friendly listing process

Bring a Trailer (BaT)

Launched in 2007, Bring a Trailer is known for its curated, often high-end or rare vehicle listings. It offers a more classic and premium feel, with cars ranging from vintage Ferraris to well-preserved Datsuns. It’s popular among collectors and experienced buyers.

Notable features:

• Highly curated listings
• Emphasis on originality and condition
• Enthusiast community in comments
• Strong audience of serious buyers

Ratings Comparison

Verdict: Cars & Bids wins on app satisfaction, while Bring a Trailer offers broader access but faces lower user ratings overall.

Types of Vehicles Listed

Cars and Bids:

• Focuses on newer enthusiast cars (1980s–2020s)
• Includes imports, sports cars, quirky daily drivers, and modded cars
• More casual and modern appeal

Bring a Trailer:

• Offers a mix of classic, vintage, and high-end vehicles
• Also lists motorcycles, parts, and memorabilia
• Appeals to collectors and purists

Verdict: If you’re selling a 1999 BMW M3 or a 2020 Tesla Model 3 Performance, Cars and Bids is your platform. Got a 1971 Porsche 911? Bring a Trailer is likely the better stage.
For a broader look at where to find unique older models, explore the best sites to buy classic cars.

Seller Fees & Costs

Verdict: Cars and Bids is more seller-friendly with no listing fee, while BaT charges upfront.

Listing Process & Auction Style

Cars and Bids: Fast, Flexible, and Seller-Friendly

• Quick Turnaround: One of the standout features of Cars and Bids is how fast your listing can go live. Once you submit your vehicle for consideration, the team usually responds within a couple of days, and approved listings often go live within 3–5 days.
• Simple Submission Process: You don’t need to be a professional photographer. The platform accepts user-taken photos and even encourages video walkarounds to enhance your listing.
• Great for First-Time Sellers: If you’re new to online auctions, Cars and Bids offers a more relaxed, low-pressure environment, making it ideal for enthusiasts looking to sell a fun or modern car without jumping through hoops.

Bring a Trailer: Curated, Polished, and Collector-Grade

• High Selectivity: Bring a Trailer has a more selective vetting process. Not every car submitted gets approved, and the platform often chooses vehicles based on rarity, condition, or enthusiast appeal.
• Professional Listings: Approved listings are built by BaT’s editorial team, complete with detailed descriptions, curated photo layout, and sometimes historical background or vehicle provenance. This creates a museum-like presentation that appeals to serious buyers and collectors.
• Takes More Time: Because of this curation and editorial process, it can take a week or more from submission to publication, sometimes even longer for in-demand slots or complex listings.

Verdict: Choose Cars and Bids for speed and ease, or Bring a Trailer for prestige and premium presentation.

Audience & Market Reach

Cars and Bids:

• Younger demographic (millennials, Gen Z)
• Modern car enthusiasts
• Often better for newer or modified vehicles

Bring a Trailer:

• Older, collector-focused audience
• Larger buyer pool
• Best for rare, original, and classic cars

Verdict: BaT has a broader and more serious buyer base, especially for rare vehicles. Cars and Bids is great for niche or younger-market cars.

Community & Bidding Experience

Both platforms feature active comments, but the tone varies:

• Cars and Bids: Informal, often includes humor and interaction with Doug himself
• Bring a Trailer: More professional and technical; comments can be more critical but insightful

Verdict: BaT has a more expert-driven comment section, while Cars and Bids feels more community-based and welcoming.

Buyer Protections & Transparency

• Both platforms offer vehicle history reports, but BaT sometimes has stricter documentation and presentation standards.
• Cars and Bids allows video walkarounds, which can be a big help to buyers.
• Neither guarantees condition—”buyer beware” still applies.

Seller Support & Customer Service

When selling a car online, responsive support can make a big difference, especially if you’re new to the process or run into issues during your auction.

Cars and Bids: Personalized but Limited Hours

• Support Style: Offers a more casual and direct support system, often with involvement from Doug DeMuro or his team.
• Response Time: Generally quick during business hours, but support is not 24/7.
• Ease of Use: Sellers often report a smoother, more approachable experience, ideal for first-time users.

Bring a Trailer: Professional and Structured

• Support Style: More formal, with a larger team and structured communication.
• Response Time: Reliable but can be slower during peak auction periods due to higher volume.
• Seller Guidance: Offers detailed editorial assistance and post-auction support, which is helpful for high-value listings.

Verdict: Choose Cars and Bids if you want a more casual, responsive experience. Opt for Bring a Trailer if you prefer detailed, hands-on listing support for higher-end or rare vehicles.

Final Verdict: Cars and Bids vs Bring a Trailer

Choose Cars and Bids if:

• You’re selling a car from the 1980s to 2020s
• You want a quick, simple listing process
• You’re targeting modern car fans or younger buyers

Choose Bring a Trailer if:

• You’re selling a rare or classic vehicle
• You want high visibility among collectors
• You’re willing to invest in a more polished listing

Conclusion

Both Cars and Bids and Bring a Trailer offer powerful platforms for car enthusiasts, but they cater to different needs. Cars and Bids is ideal for modern vehicles, and quick listings. Bring a Trailer, on the other hand, shines with its curated, premium listings and serious collector audience. Your choice ultimately depends on the type of vehicle you’re selling and the kind of buyer you want to attract.

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