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The bottom line: Hemmings is a marketplace built just for classic and collector car fans. They’ve been around since 1954, so they know this world well. You can sell three ways: Auction ($99.95), Make Offer ($99.95), or Classified Ad ($129.95 – $189.95).
Their audience is full of real enthusiasts and collectors, not regular car shoppers. This means you might get better prices for rare or special cars than you would on sites like Craigslist or Facebook.
The auction option can sometimes push prices higher than expected when multiple collectors compete.
Here’s the catch: Hemmings connects you with buyers, but they step back after that. You’ll handle the payment, title transfer, and shipping yourself.
Their fees are also higher than general car sites, and buyers pay an extra 5% on top of the sale price. If your car isn’t a true classic worth at least $15,000, you might do better elsewhere. Compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor before deciding.
What We Like
- Your car goes in front of 400,000+ classic car fans and collectors every month
- Auction listings get a professional writer to create your car’s description
- If your auction doesn’t hit reserve, you get a free 6 month Make Offer listing
- You can call or email their support team when you need help
- Three different listing types so you can pick what fits your situation
- Auction listings come with a free CARFAX report for buyers
- You only pay the auction fee if someone meets your reserve price
- Classified ads get you into the Hemmings Motor News print magazine
- Make Offer listings let buyers negotiate with a credit card already on file
- About 60% of cars that don’t sell at auction end up selling during the Make Offer period
- Listings stay active for up to 6 months, giving you plenty of time to find a buyer
What You Should Know
- Once the sale starts, you’re on your own for title transfers and shipping
- Auction listings can take 2+ weeks to actually go live after you submit
- Fees are higher than what you’d pay on general car selling sites
- If there’s a dispute with the buyer, Hemmings won’t help much
- About 15% of initial sales fall through because buyers back out
- Print magazine exposure only lasts one month
- Hemmings may change your auction listing in ways you don’t like
- Buyer vetting is basic, just credit card validation
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How to List Your Car on Hemmings?
1. Pick Your Listing Type
Hemmings gives you three ways to sell. Each one works differently and costs a different amount.
Auction ($99.95): This is their top option for serious sellers. Your car goes through a 7 day bidding process. A Hemmings writer creates your listing, and you set a reserve price. If nobody meets your reserve, your listing turns into a free 6 month Make Offer ad.
Make Offer ($99.95): Your car goes up on the site quickly for up to 6 months. You write your own description and set your price. Buyers make offers through the website with a credit card on file, so you can negotiate back and forth.
Classified Ad ($129.95 – $189.95): The old school way Hemmings has done things since 1954. Your car appears online for 6 months and in their print magazine. Buyers reach out to you directly by phone or email to make deals.
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Choose listing type
Register or Sign In
Enter your information
Enter vehicle location
Enter vehicle information
Enter vehicle condition
Upload photos
Submit listing
2. Manage Your Listing
If you chose the auction route, Hemmings assigns you a listing specialist. They’ll write up your car’s description based on what you tell them. For Make Offer and Classified listings, you’re in charge of everything yourself.
Auction and Make Offer messages come through your Hemmings account. Classified Ad questions go straight to your email or phone.
3. Close the Deal
When someone buys your car through Auction or Make Offer, they pay Hemmings a 5% fee on top of the sale price. After that, Hemmings steps back and you work directly with the buyer.
You’ll need to handle getting paid, transferring the title, and arranging shipping yourself. Hemmings can point you toward services that help with these things, but they don’t manage it for you.
A successful auction takes 7 days. Make Offer and Classified listings can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on your car and asking price.
Heads up: Stay involved throughout the process. Hemmings connects you with buyers, but you’re responsible for finishing the deal.
How Much Can You Get?
What you get depends on your car’s type, condition, and timing. Rare classics tend to do better here than on general sites because the buyers actually know what they’re looking at.
When multiple collectors want the same car, auction prices can go above what you expected. That’s the upside of selling to enthusiasts instead of regular car shoppers.
| Vehicle Type | Price Premium vs General Market |
|---|---|
| Rare Classics | 10-20% higher |
| Common Classics | 5-15% higher |
| Project Cars | Varies widely |
| Modern Classics | 5-10% higher |
Recent Hemmings Sales
| Vehicle | Sale Status | Sale Price | Number of Offers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 Cadillac 61 | Sold | $43,575 | 3 |
| 1954 Chevrolet 3100 | Sold | $20,370 | 2 |
| 1979 Volkswagen Cabriolet | Sold | $23,625 | 4 |
| 1950 Ford F4 | Sold | $9,000 | 2 |
| 1994 Chevrolet Blazer | Sold | $21,000 | 2 |
| 1961 Dodge Pioneer | Sold | $15,750 | – |
| 1971 Lincoln Continental | Sold | $19,425 | 1 |
| 1979 Datsun 280ZX | Sold | $10,500 | 2 |
| 1930 Pontiac | Sold | $6,000 | 1 |
| 1975 Jeep CJ5 | Sold | $26,513 | 3 |
| 2014 Bentley Continental GTC | Sold | $97,650 | – |
| 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air | Sold | $48,300 | 1 |
| 1991 BMW 850i | Sold | $30,870 | 3 |
What this tells us:
- Pre-war cars like the 1930s Cadillac and Pontiac attracted multiple bidders
- Most sales only needed 1 to 3 offers to close the deal
- Classic trucks and SUVs sell well here, not just cars
- Newer “modern classics” from the 1990s and 2000s also find buyers
- Luxury brands can bring high prices when the right collector sees them
- Even project cars and lower value classics sell successfully
- Popular models from the 1950s and 1970s get the most interest
Hemmings Reviews – What Other Sellers Say?
| Platform | Hemmings Rating | Good | Bad |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3 out of 5 stars (74 total reviews) | Trusted name in the classic car world | Some complaints about post-sale support | |
| Trustpilot | 2.4 out of 5 stars (8 total reviews) | Cars sell, enthusiast buyers are serious | Listing process takes time, Hemmings may edit your listing |
| Positive | Good place to sell old classics, reaches real collectors | Some say other platforms work faster | |
| Yelp | 1.7 out of 5 stars | Magazine has good reach for classic fans | Customer service complaints, limited help after sale |
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Expand to see reviews from 2025:
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How Hemmings Compares to Other Classic Car Sites
Hemmings isn’t your only option for selling a classic. Here’s how they stack up against other popular auction sites for collector cars.
| Platform | Best For | Listing Fee | Buyer Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hemmings Auction | Rare classics | $99.95 | 5% ($500 min / $10k cap) |
| Hemmings Make Offer | Quick sales | $99.95 | 5% ($500 min / $10k cap) |
| Hemmings Classified | Print exposure | $129.95 – $179.95 | None |
| BringATrailer | Modern classics | $99 | 5% ($250 min / $7,500 cap) |
| Cars & Bids | Contemporary collectibles | Free to sellers | 5% ($250 min / $7,500 cap) |
| eBay Motors | Common classics | $19 – $79 | None |
Hemmings Auction and BringATrailer charge the same listing fee at $99.95 and $99. Both also charge buyers 5%. The difference is BringATrailer caps their buyer fee at $7,500, while Hemmings goes up to $10,000 with a $500 minimum.
Cars & Bids is the only one that’s free for sellers. Their buyer fee is also 5%. If you’re selling a newer collectible from the 1980s or later, that might be the better choice.
Hemmings Classified costs more at $129.95 to $179.95, but there’s no buyer fee and you get print magazine exposure. If your buyers are older collectors who still read print magazines, that extra cost might be worth it.
Want to see what other buyers might offer for your car? Try our comparison tool below.
Compare Instant Offers
Compare Instant Offers
Alternatives: Sites Like Hemmings
Common Questions About Selling on Hemmings
How long does it take to sell on Hemmings?
Auctions run for exactly 7 days. Make Offer and Classified listings stay up for 6 months. Most cars that sell do so within the first 1 to 2 months.
What happens if my auction doesn’t hit the reserve?
Your car automatically moves to a Make Offer listing for 6 months at no extra charge. Buyers can then make direct offers instead of bidding.
Does Hemmings check the car’s condition?
No. They rely on your photos and description. Auction listings get a free CARFAX report, but there’s no physical inspection. Buyers should always get their own inspection before buying.
Can I cancel my listing?
Yes, but don’t expect a refund. Once your listing is published, the fee is gone regardless of which listing type you chose.
What if there’s a dispute with the buyer?
Hemmings might try to help a little, but mostly you’re on your own. They expect buyers and sellers to work things out directly.
What paperwork do I need?
You need a clean title, any service history you have, and good photos.
Is there a minimum price to list?
Officially no, but the fees make it hard to justify for cheap cars. If your car is worth less than $15,000, the math probably doesn’t work out.
Can dealers list cars on Hemmings?
Yes. Private sellers and dealers can both use all three listing types.
How do payments work?
Hemmings charges the buyer’s credit card for the 5% fee right away. After that, you and the buyer work out payment directly. Hemmings doesn’t handle the main transaction.
What happens after the sale?
You and the buyer figure out payment, any final inspection, and delivery. Hemmings has partners for title services and shipping, but they don’t manage these steps for you.
Can I list more than one car?
Yes, but each car needs its own listing fee. No bulk discounts.
Does Hemmings handle shipping?
No, but they can recommend shipping companies. You’ll need to arrange and pay for transport yourself.
What if the buyer backs out?
You can put your listing back up, but Hemmings won’t do much to help chase down buyers who don’t follow through. About 15% of deals fall apart this way.
Can international buyers purchase my car?
Yes, but you’ll have to deal with extra paperwork and shipping arrangements yourself.
Learn more: How to Sell a Car to an International Buyer?
How can I make my listing do better?
Take lots of detailed photos, gather all your documentation, and price realistically based on what similar cars have sold for. If you’re doing an auction, work closely with your listing specialist.
Is Hemmings legitimate?
Yes. They’ve been in the classic car business since 1954. They publish multiple magazines and have over 400,000 visitors to their site each month. They’re a real company with a long track record in the collector car world.
Hemmings Review
Hemmings has been the go-to marketplace for classic car fans since 1954 and puts your car in front of 400,000 plus collectors every month. Process transparency pulls the score down as Hemmings steps back after connecting you with a buyer, leaving title transfer, payment, and shipping entirely up to you.
Product Brand: Hemmings
3.8
Pros
- Your car reaches 400000 plus classic car fans and collectors every month
- Auction listings come with a free CARFAX report for buyers
- Three different listing types so you can pick what fits your situation
- If your auction doesn't hit reserve you get a free 6 month Make Offer listing
Cons
- Once the sale starts you are on your own for title transfer and shipping
- Auction listings can take 2 weeks or more to go live after you submit
- About 15% of initial sales fall through because buyers back out
Article Update History
We checked Hemmings listing fees, buyer fees, and all three selling options in January 2026. We also pulled fresh customer reviews from Yelp, and verified recent auction sale prices on the platform. The comparison table with BringATrailer, Cars & Bids, and eBay Motors has been updated with current fees.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.
Sources
"Hemmings Reviews" Accessed Jan. 21, 2026
"Hemmings Reviews" Accessed Jan. 21, 2026
"Hemmings Reviews" Accessed Jan. 21, 2026