What Is The Best Website To Sell A Classic Car

In the past, you'd rarely find classic cars listed on online car marketplaces since they are not the type of cars buyers would shop for online. This is because buying a classic car sight unseen is highly risky, and traveling thousands of miles to view a car only to get disappointed by it would be too much work. These and many more reasons boil down to the lack of trust, especially when buying from private sellers. However, in recent times, more classic cars are popping up on online car trading platforms and auctions, and buyers are slowly getting convinced that they can buy a good if not great, classic car online. Classic car-only trading forms and platforms have been recording more sales as years go by, which is one of the reasons selling classic cars online has grown. So, if you are a classic car private seller or dealership, what is the best website to sell a classic car? Finding a website on which to sell a classic car is relatively easy, but that is if you have fewer expectations. If you prefer the best selling experience, there are a few websites tailored to ensure a seamless and lucrative selling experience for your classic car. This article explores the best websites to sell a classic car on.

Hemmings

Founded initially as a motoring magazine in 1954, Hemmings has always catered to classic car enthusiasts. The website is among the best if you want to sell your classic car, and it's restricted to classic cars only with a global community that guarantees maximum reach of your classic car listing. Besides trading classic cars, Hemmings allows the sale of classic car parts, for example, seats and engines, and related services such as classic car restoration.

Pros

• Multiple ways to sell your classic car: Hemmings offers three ways to sell your classic car. You can sell via the Hemmings online auction, Traditional Classified Ad, or the Hemmings Make an Offer Listing method. Most websites offer one or two listing options, limiting buyers to the markets they want to sell.
• Limited to classic cars: Only classic car listings are allowed on Hemmings, a classic car website. This might be a disadvantage if you're selling a new car, but Hemmings attracts enthusiasts, buyers, and collectors interested in classic cars, thus increasing the likelihood of finding serious buyers.
• Ability to register as a private seller or dealership: On Hemmings, you can sell your classic car as a private (individual) seller or a dealership. Dealerships enjoy a wide range of benefits, but there's no need to register as one if you aim to sell one car or several cars at intervals.
• All types of classic cars allowed: Hemmings allows all kinds of classic cars on the website. It could be a classic fire truck or motorcycle. You can list it through the three selling options provided if it's roadworthy.

Cons

• High fees: Despite Hemmings's benefits, selling option fees are high. Prices start at $99.95, and the most expensive option is the Hemmings Traditional Classified Ad at $149.95. Additionally, there's a 5% success fee when you sell through the online auction and make an offer listing options.

Autotrader Classics

Autotrader Classic is Autotrader's online classic car exclusive marketplace, boasting a wide array of classic cars from sellers from all corners of the United States. With their listing options, you can list any classic car, be it an American Muscle or an imported classic. Also, with the website's daily inventory update, you are assured your listing will go live as soon as you complete the relatively easy listing process.

Pros

• It's a classic car-only website: Like Hemmings, Autotrader Classic is a classic car-only website tailored to cater to the needs of classic car buyers and sellers. It's most likely that your car if well presented in the listing, won't stay in the market long as a buyer will certainly pop up from Autotrader Classic's vast potential buyers' pool.
• Uncomplicated listing process: When listing a classic car on Autotrader Classic, you get a list of procedures to follow, making listing pretty easy. You'll even get a glimpse of how your listing will appear to buyers once it goes live, allowing you to choose the main photo that will attract buyers, thus increasing the chance of making a sale.
• Broad audience reach: Autotrader Classic has a large following and a wide audience reach mostly from created user accounts and website visits. This increases your listing viewership and might result in you selling your classic car quicker.

Cons

• High ad fees: Selling a classic car on Autotrader Classic will cost you $59.95 for the basic package with minimal listing customization, and the highest package is priced at 149.95. This is higher than the main Autotrader website and most classic car selling websites.
• Limited selling options: Unlike most classic car selling platforms, Autotrader Classic only has one selling option, listing a car on the website. Most websites usually have two or more options besides listing a classic car on the website.

Bring a Trailer

Bring a Trailer allows listings of all types of vehicles, but classic cars are among the most listed and sold vehicles on the website. It's among the most dominant classic car selling platforms despite being around for the shortest time after Autotrader Classics. Online auctions bring most buyers to Bring a Trailer, but the website also offers listing options offered to visitors on the website and BAT features.

Pros

• Reasonable fees: When selling on Bring a Trailer, sellers pay a $99 listing fee, which is reasonable considering the exposure the listings get. For an additional $330, you can get professional photos of your classic car taken to enhance the chance of it selling. Besides the 5% transaction fee set to a minimum of $250 and a maximum of $5,000, there are no other fees should you decide to sell your classic car on Bring a Trailer. 
• Well-done listings: Bring a Trailer's listings are some of the best. A well-done listing will attract more potential buyers than a promoted listing with all the niceties but lacks in some factors, such as a poorly written vehicle description.
• Easy to use website: As Bring a Trailer has grown, the website's user experience has improved exponentially. Listing cars is easy even when using the website for the first time, and it's also user-friendly for buyers, thus attracting more of them.

Cons

• Unavailable mobile app: Bring a Trailer still doesn't have a mobile app, which is one of its biggest drawbacks. To list a classic car or monitor a listing, you'll have to visit their browser website, which is an inconvenience, especially if you're constantly on the move. 
• Not the best place to sell regular classic cars: Bring a Trailer's clientele has grown to consist of classic car collectors and posh buyers looking for the cream of the crop classic cars. To such an audience, authenticity, and collectability rank above anything else; not all classic cars have such attributes.

ClassicCars.com

Founded with an understanding of online classifieds in relation to the classic car market, ClassicCars.com has grown to become one of the most trusted websites specializing in selling classic cars. The website supports listings from private car sellers and gives users access to a network of classic car auctions and dealerships, so if you are a buyer, options are never lacking on ClassicCars.com.

Pros

• User-friendly website: Listing cars on classic.com is more straightforward than expected, with a well-put 5-step process to follow. After making the listing, you get a call to verify if everything on the listing is accurate, ensuring you didn't miss anything you wanted included in the sale.
• Excellent listing exposure: ClassicCars.com has millions of site visits, increasing the chance of finding a buyer for your classic car. You might have a better option if you go for the Plus and Premium ad package, but if you're in no rush to sell the car, the Regular package will do. With a bit of patience, you'll have a buyer knocking on your door to collect the car in no time.
• Cars are listed until sold: All ClassicCars.com ad packages allow you to list your classic car on the website until it's sold. There's no maximum listing duration, so if your car stays on the website for a long time, you are guaranteed that the listing will not be taken down.

Cons

• Extremely high listing fees: There's the advantage that your car will be listed on ClassicCars.com until it's sold, but you'll have second thoughts once you check the ad fees. The Regular starting package starts at 129.99, and ad fees go up to $349.99, which is a lot. If you're sure your classic car will sell quickly, consider other websites with more affordable ad fees.

Sell Your Classic Car With Exotic Car Trader

With Exotic Car Trader, selling a classic car has never been easier. We provide listing solutions for all types, makes, and models of classic cars, ensuring maximum reach to potential buyers. Your classic car will be listed on Exotic Car Trader's website, which has verified buyers ensuring a fraud-free selling experience. What other services do we offer? Besides listing your classic car on Exotic Car Trader, we'll also list the vehicle on partner sites such as eBay Motors, CarGurus, Autotrader, Cars.com, CarsforSale.com, and even Facebook and Instagram for the most exposure. If you can't do a vehicle photoshoot, we'll do that for you and much more, including transacting the sale on your behalf and handling shipping, trade-in, and financing needs just in case the buyer requires any of those services. So, why not sell your classic car with Exotic Car Trader? List your classic through Exotic Car Trader car here

Final Thoughts

Finding the best website to sell a car online ultimately depends on sale urgency and budget. It's not cheap to sell a car online on any of the listed platforms, and those offering affordable options have flaws. Personal preference also plays a part when choosing the website to use since one might prefer selling via auction or is willing to accept offers, and not all websites offer all selling options. If you're still undecided on which website to use, let Exotic Car Trader handle the sale of your classic car as you relax, debating in your head which restoration project to do next.