SellCarAdvisor is reader-supported, when you sign up through links on this post, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. How We Work.
The bottom line: eBay Motors gives you access to 11 million monthly car shoppers with flat listing fees of $19 to $79 and no percentage cut of your sale price. However, bids are non-binding, so buyers can back out after winning.
Hemmings puts your classic or collector car in front of 400,000+ enthusiasts who pay premium prices for unique vehicles. However, fees are higher ($99.95 to $189.95) and auction listings can take 2+ weeks to go live.
Both platforms work best for different sellers. eBay Motors handles any vehicle type and sells one every 60 seconds. Hemmings focuses only on classic and collector cars where their specialized audience often bids higher than general marketplaces.
Choose eBay Motors if you want maximum exposure and lower upfront costs for any car type. Choose Hemmings if you have a true collector vehicle worth at least $15,000 and want access to serious enthusiasts.
Neither platform handles payment, shipping, or paperwork for you. Both expect you to manage the final transaction yourself.
Compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor before deciding.
Compare Instant Offers
eBay Motors vs. Hemmings: Detailed Comparison
eBay Motors offers two selling formats: auctions and fixed-price “Buy It Now” listings. Auctions create excitement through competitive bidding, but winning bids are not legally binding. Buyers can walk away, which wastes your time. Use their Second Chance Offer feature to contact the next highest bidder if the winner backs out.
Hemmings also offers auctions, but they take a different approach. Their auction listings include a professional writer who creates your description. If your auction doesn’t hit the reserve price, it automatically converts to a free 6-month Make Offer listing. About 60% of cars that fail at auction eventually sell during this period.
The listing process differs significantly between platforms. eBay Motors is completely DIY. You take photos, write descriptions, answer buyer questions, and arrange shipping. Budget about an hour for a quality listing. Use our car ad description generator to save time writing your listing.
Hemmings provides more support for auctions, but their listings can take 2+ weeks to go live after submission.
Buyer verification is another key difference:
- eBay Motors: Non-binding bids with optional deposit requirements
- Hemmings: Credit card validation for Make Offer buyers
- About 15% of Hemmings deals fall through when buyers back out
Both platforms step back after connecting buyer and seller. You handle payment, title transfer, and shipping on your own. If you’re selling privately for the first time, expect to spend time learning your state’s requirements and arranging logistics.
For classic cars, Hemmings’ specialized audience often justifies the higher fees. Their readers subscribe to collector car magazines and actively seek rare vehicles. eBay Motors’ general audience includes more casual browsers who may not understand what makes your classic special. Check our guide to online car auctions with no fees for more options.
eBay Motors vs. Hemmings: Feature Comparison
Where to Sell Your Car
eBay Motors makes sense for most sellers because of its massive reach and lower fees. Their 11 million monthly visitors and “car sells every 60 seconds” claim means faster sales for standard vehicles. The $19 to $79 listing fee is much cheaper than Hemmings’ $99.95+ starting price.
Hemmings becomes the better choice when you have a true collector car. Pre-1980s classics, muscle cars, and rare models attract serious buyers on Hemmings who understand their value. Their backup plan, converting failed auctions to 6-month Make Offer listings for free, also gives you more time to find the right buyer.
Your vehicle type matters most here. If you’re selling a standard daily driver, eBay Motors’ general audience will find it faster. If your car has collector appeal, Hemmings’ enthusiast audience may pay premium prices. Check free listing options if you want to avoid upfront fees altogether.
| Your Situation | Better Option | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Have a classic or collector car |
|
Specialized audience of 400,000+ collectors willing to pay premium prices |
| Selling a standard daily driver |
|
11 million monthly shoppers vs. Hemmings’ classic-only audience |
| Want lower upfront costs |
|
$19 to $79 listing fees vs. $99.95+ at Hemmings |
| Want to avoid success fees |
|
No percentage cut vs. Hemmings’ 5% buyer fee |
| Need professional listing help |
|
Professional write-up service for auctions vs. eBay’s DIY tools |
| Want a backup if auction fails |
|
Free 6-month Make Offer listing vs. eBay’s relisting fees |
| Need listing to go live quickly |
|
Listings go live within hours vs. 2+ weeks at Hemmings |
| Want better buyer verification |
|
Credit card verification vs. eBay’s non-binding bids |
| Want an instant cash offer with no listing work | Neither | Both are marketplaces requiring listing effort. Try instant offer services instead. |
Best Alternatives
Best for Newer Cars
Buys newer, low-mileage cars
Offers pickup or free drop-off
Competitive trade-in value
Best for Used Cars
Instant offer in 2 minutes
Instant offer and free pickup
Get paid on the spot
Best for Junk Cars
Sell your car in 30 minutes
Easy-to-use
Buys non-running cars
Want to compare more options? Use our free tool to see who offers the most for your car:
Compare Instant Offers
Compare Instant Offers
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better reviews, eBay Motors or Hemmings?
eBay Motors has 1.3 stars on Trustpilot from 17,751 reviews. Hemmings has 4.3 stars on Google from 74 reviews. Both platforms get mixed feedback, with sellers appreciating the reach but complaining about buyer issues and limited support after the sale.
What are the fees for eBay Motors vs Hemmings?
eBay Motors charges a flat $19 to $79 listing fee with no percentage of your sale price. Hemmings charges $99.95 for auctions or Make Offer listings, $129.95 to $189.95 for classifieds, plus a 5% buyer fee on Auction and Make Offer sales. eBay also takes 2.8% on deposits paid through their platform.
How long does it take to sell on eBay Motors vs Hemmings?
eBay Motors auctions run for 7 days, and the platform claims a car sells every 60 seconds. Hemmings auctions also run 7 days, but listings can take 2+ weeks to go live after submission. Hemmings Make Offer and Classified listings stay active for up to 6 months.
Can buyers back out after winning on eBay Motors or Hemmings?
eBay Motors bids are not legally binding, so buyers can walk away after winning. Hemmings uses credit card verification for offers, which provides some security, but about 15% of Hemmings deals still fall through. Neither platform offers strong buyer commitment guarantees.
Do eBay Motors or Hemmings help with shipping?
Neither platform arranges shipping for you. Both expect buyers and sellers to handle transportation themselves. Hemmings can recommend shipping partners, and eBay Motors offers shipping tools through their platform, but you manage and pay for the logistics directly.
What happens if my auction doesn’t meet the reserve?
eBay Motors lets you send a Second Chance Offer to the next highest bidder or relist your car. Hemmings automatically converts failed auctions into free 6-month Make Offer listings, and about 60% of those cars eventually sell during this period.
Is Hemmings only for classic cars?
Yes, Hemmings focuses on classic and collector vehicles. Their audience consists of enthusiasts looking for pre-1980s classics, muscle cars, and rare models.
If your car isn’t a true collector vehicle worth at least $15,000, the fees probably don’t make sense compared to general marketplaces like eBay Motors.
What if I owe money on my car?
Both platforms let you list cars with loans, but you must pay off the lender before transferring the title. Contact your lender about payoff steps before listing. Coordinate the sale proceeds with your loan balance to handle the title transfer smoothly.
Learn more: How to Sell a Financed Car
Article Update History
We verified customer ratings on Trustpilot and Google, confirmed listing fees and auction processes for both platforms, and updated traffic figures. Both services still operate as marketplace platforms where sellers manage their own transactions.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.