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The bottom line: Cars & Bids is a curated auction platform for enthusiast vehicles. Sellers list for free and keep 100% of the sale price, with the average car selling for $22,500. However, they reject about 60% of submissions and the process from submission to live auction can take up to three weeks.
eBay Motors is an open marketplace that accepts any vehicle and reaches 7.4 million monthly car shoppers. You pay a flat listing fee of $19 to $79 with no percentage taken from your final sale price. However, bids are not legally binding, so winning buyers can back out.
Both platforms run 7-day auctions, but the experience is very different. Cars & Bids provides a team to help build your listing and takes 150+ professional photos. eBay Motors is completely self-service, meaning you handle photos, descriptions, and all buyer communication yourself.
If you have a sports car, a rare truck, or a well-modified vehicle, Cars & Bids attracts serious buyers who understand what makes your car valuable. For regular everyday cars, eBay Motors gives you wider exposure and lets you list the same day.
Neither platform works well if you need a fast guaranteed sale. Both are auction-based, which means final price depends on bidder interest and timing.
Compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor before deciding.
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Cars & Bids vs. eBay Motors: Detailed Comparison
Cars & Bids requires you to submit your car for approval first. Their team reviews each submission within one business day, but the full process from submission to live auction can take up to three weeks. If accepted, they help you build a professional listing with 150+ photos and a walk-around video. Our guide on how to take pictures of a car for sale can help your submission photos stand out.
eBay Motors lets you list the same day. You pick a package ($19 for Basic, $49 for Plus, or $79 for Premium), upload your own photos, write your description, and go live in about 15 to 20 minutes.
You control everything, including the auction length, end time, and whether to use auction or fixed-price format. Our free Car Ad Description Generator can help you write a listing that gets more bids.
Here’s how fees break down on each platform:
- Cars & Bids charges sellers nothing. Buyers pay a 5% fee (minimum $250, maximum $7,500)
- eBay Motors charges a flat listing fee of $19 to $79 with no percentage on the final sale price
- eBay charges a 2.8% deposit processing fee when buyers pay deposits through their system
- SafePay on Cars & Bids costs $99 for secure payment and title transfer
Cars & Bids now accepts classic pre-1981 vehicles, which opens up the platform to a wider range of collector cars. Previously, they only listed cars from 1981 and newer. This puts them in more direct competition with other online car auctions for private sellers.
Cars & Bids auctions are binding, so winners are expected to follow through with the purchase. eBay Motors bids are not legally binding, which means winning bidders can back out. If that happens, eBay lets you send a Second Chance Offer to the next highest bidder at no extra cost.
Cars & Bids vs. eBay Motors: Feature Comparison
Where to Sell Your Car
Cars & Bids is the better pick if your car is special enough to get accepted. You list for free, their team helps create a professional listing, and the enthusiast community drives competitive bidding. Cars with documented service history and original window stickers typically get 20% more bids.
eBay Motors makes more sense for regular cars or when you need to list quickly. You reach 7.4 million monthly shoppers, pay just a small flat fee, and can go live in under 20 minutes. For most cars worth under $20,000, the wider audience usually matters more than a curated community.
Your car’s type and condition matter most. If you have a classic or collector vehicle, both platforms now compete in that space since Cars & Bids expanded to pre-1981 vehicles. Check our guide on the best places to sell a classic car for even more options.
| Your Situation | Better Option | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Have a special or modified car |
|
Enthusiast community that values modifications and rare specs |
| Want no upfront listing costs |
|
Zero seller fees vs $19 to $79 upfront on eBay Motors |
| Need help creating a professional listing |
|
Team helps with 150+ photos and listing copy vs full DIY |
| Want maximum exposure to buyers |
|
7.4 million monthly shoppers vs smaller Cars & Bids community |
| Selling a regular everyday car |
|
Accepts all vehicles vs Cars & Bids rejecting 60% of submissions |
| Need to list quickly |
|
Go live in 20 minutes vs up to 3 weeks on Cars & Bids |
| Want control over auction timing |
|
Choose your auction length and end time vs fixed 7-day schedule |
| Need instant cash, not an auction | Neither | Both are auction platforms. Try instant offer services for guaranteed same-week payment |
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Want to compare more options? Use our free tool to see who offers the most for your car:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform is better for selling a car, Cars & Bids or eBay Motors?
It depends on what kind of car you have. Cars & Bids works best for enthusiast vehicles like sports cars, modified builds, and rare trucks. Their average sale price is around $22,500 and their community pays a premium for special cars.
eBay Motors is better for regular everyday cars because it accepts any vehicle and reaches 7.4 million monthly shoppers. For most cars worth under $20,000, eBay’s wider audience usually brings more interest.
How long does it take to sell on Cars & Bids vs eBay Motors?
Cars & Bids takes longer to get started. The approval process alone can take up to three weeks from submission to live auction. Once live, every auction runs for exactly seven days.
eBay Motors is much faster. You can create a listing in 15 to 20 minutes and choose auction lengths of 3, 5, 7, or 10 days. If speed matters, eBay Motors is the clear winner.
Which has better reviews, Cars & Bids or eBay Motors?
Cars & Bids has 4.4 stars on Trustpilot from 350 reviews, along with 4.4 stars on Google from 1,001 reviews. Common praise is for the professional listing help and engaged community. The main complaints involve non-paying winners and the strict approval process.
eBay Motors has 1.3 stars on Trustpilot from 16,807 reviews. Sellers like the massive reach and flat fee structure. The most common complaint is about non-paying bidders, since bids are not legally binding.
Do buyers actually have to pay if they win on Cars & Bids or eBay Motors?
Cars & Bids auctions are binding, meaning winners are expected to complete the purchase. Using SafePay adds extra protection because buyers must pay into escrow before getting your contact info. However, there are no strong financial penalties if a buyer backs out.
eBay Motors bids are not legally binding. Winning bidders can back out, though it affects their account standing. If that happens, eBay lets you send a Second Chance Offer to the next highest bidder at no extra cost.
How does payment work on each platform?
Cars & Bids uses SafePay, a secure escrow system that costs $99. The buyer pays into escrow before getting your contact details. SafePay also handles title transfer and can manage loan payoffs if your car isn’t paid off.
eBay Motors leaves payment up to you and the buyer. You’ll need to arrange payment, sign over the title, and handle all paperwork yourself. eBay processes deposits for a 2.8% fee, but the rest is between you and the buyer.
What if I still owe money on my car?
Cars & Bids makes this easier through SafePay, which can manage loan payoffs directly. The system handles the money flow between the buyer, your lender, and you.
On eBay Motors, you need to work with your lender on your own. Contact your lender about payoff steps before listing, and never sign over the title until payment fully clears.
Learn more: How to Sell a Financed Car
Can I sell a regular car on Cars & Bids?
Probably not. Cars & Bids rejects about 60% of submissions because they’re too ordinary. They want performance cars, special editions, rare factory options, or well-documented modified builds. A standard Honda Civic or Toyota Camry won’t get accepted.
If your car gets rejected, eBay Motors is the better option since they accept any vehicle. You can also try listing privately for more control over pricing.
What happens if my car doesn’t sell on Cars & Bids or eBay Motors?
On Cars & Bids, you pay nothing if your car doesn’t sell since there are no seller fees. The catch is you must wait a full year before listing that same car again. This makes pricing and reserve decisions important.
On eBay Motors, you still pay the listing fee ($19 to $79) even if your car doesn’t sell. But you can relist right away with a different price, better photos, or a different format. You can also lower your reserve during the auction if interest is low.
Article Update History
Cars & Bids expanded to accept pre-1981 classic cars in May 2025 and raised buyer fees to match Bring a Trailer. eBay Motors listing packages ($19/$49/$79) and fee structure remain unchanged.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.