I want to take the guesswork out of selling your car. I analyze market data, decode DMV title laws, and test out online car buyers to give you a straight answer on whether it's worth holding out for a higher price or if you're better off taking the most convenient offer and moving on.
Published:Apr 27, 2025
Last Updated:Apr 21, 2026
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The bottom line: Between Hemmings and Autotrader, Hemmings is the one for a classic, collector or specialty car worth at least $15,000. Its buyers are enthusiasts who often pay more for a special car. Once you find a buyer, you sort out payment and the title yourself, unless either of you adds Hemmings’ $299 Pay + Title service. Shipping is up to the buyer.
Autotrader is the better fit for a car built in 1989 or later, especially if you worry about scams. It checks who the buyer is, handles the payment and helps with the paperwork.
Neither site buys your car. If you need a quick, sure sale or have a salvage title, compare instant offers with Sell Car Advisor instead.
Key Takeaways
Classic cars: Hemmings puts a classic in front of collectors shopping for exactly that kind of car, and its magazine has more than 165,000 subscribers.
Buyer protection: Autotrader verifies the buyer through Stripe, processes the payment and any loan payoff, and helps with the title. Hemmings leaves these to you unless you or the buyer pay $299 for its optional Pay + Title service, which checks the buyer, handles the payment and title, and pays off a loan.
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Hemmings vs Autotrader at a Glance
Category
Best For
Classic and collector cars worth $15,000+
Modern vehicles (1989+) with secure transactions
Listing Fee
$99.95 (Auction/Make Offer), $179.95 (Classified)
$9, $29 or $49, by asking price
Transaction Fee
5% buyer fee (Auction and Make Offer)
0.99% of sale price (minimum $99)
Listing Duration
7 days (Auction), 6 months (Make Offer/Classified)
180 days, or less if you stop answering buyers
Selling Options
Auction, Make Offer, Classified Ad
Private Seller Exchange only
Buyer Verification
Basic credit card validation
Identity verification through Stripe
Payment Processing
Buyer and seller work out payment directly, or through optional Pay + Title ($299)
Secure online system with fund verification
Free Vehicle History
CARFAX (Auction only, cars built 1981 or later)
AutoCheck with every listing
Title Transfer Help
Yes, through optional Pay + Title ($299)
Yes, with guidance and assistance
Cars with Loans
Seller pays off the loan first, or Pay + Title ($299) pays the lender during the sale
Processes loan payoff for you
Won’t Accept
Not built for modern economy or low-value cars
Pre-1989 cars, salvage titles, RVs, motorcycles
Trustpilot Rating
2.2/5 stars (9 reviews)
3.7/5 stars (1,562 reviews)
BBB Status
A+ grade, not BBB accredited
D- grade, not BBB accredited
Main Drawback
Payment and title left to you unless you add Pay + Title; little help with disputes
Scam messages that support can’t stop; low offers from Autotrader and dealers
Hemmings vs Autotrader: Detailed Comparison
These platforms take completely different approaches to selling a car privately. Hemmings focuses on connecting classic car enthusiasts. Autotrader focuses on protecting you during a modern car transaction. The right choice depends on what you’re selling and how much help you need.
Hemmings gives you three ways to sell:
Auction ($99.95): 7-day bidding with professional write-up, plus a free CARFAX report on cars built in 1981 or later. If you don’t hit reserve, converts to free 6-month Make Offer listing.
Make Offer ($99.95): 6-month listing where buyers negotiate directly with credit card on file.
Classified Ad ($179.95): 6-month online listing plus placement in Hemmings Motor News print magazine.
Autotrader’s Private Seller Exchange charges $9, $29 or $49 for the ad, depending on your asking price, plus a 0.99% transaction fee when your car sells, with a minimum of $99. Your car appears on both Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book, and you get a free AutoCheck vehicle history report. Your ad stays up for 180 days.
The biggest difference is what happens after someone wants to buy. Autotrader checks each buyer’s ID through Stripe before the buyer pays, processes payments securely, and helps with title paperwork. Hemmings charges the buyer’s 5% fee right away and gives you each other’s contact details. You then work out payment and delivery directly, or settle the payment and title through its optional $299 Pay + Title service. If disputes come up, Hemmings won’t help much.
For classic cars, Hemmings’ audience is collectors shopping specifically for older and special cars. For modern vehicles, Autotrader’s security features are worth the extra cost if you’re worried about scams during a private sale.
Alternatives to Sell a Car
4.6
Scored against used car buyers only
CategoryScore
Offer amount35%5/5
Process ease20%5/5
Offer validity15%4/5
Pickup / drop-off15%4/5
Payment speed15%4/5
Scores compare companies within one segment, never across. How we score
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform charges less: Hemmings or Autotrader?
It depends on your car’s value. For a $15,000 car, Autotrader costs about $160 to $200 in all: $9, $29 or $49 for the ad, plus about $149 when it sells.
Hemmings costs $99.95 for auction or Make Offer, but buyers pay an extra 5% on top. For a car under $10,000, Autotrader is cheaper at $108 to $148: the ad, plus the $99 minimum when it sells.
For high-value classics, Hemmings’ flat fee becomes more economical since buyers absorb most of the transaction cost.
Can I sell a classic car on Autotrader?
Yes. Private Seller Exchange takes cars made in 1989 or later, and Autotrader points older cars to its separate Autotrader Classics site.
For older classics, Hemmings or Bring a Trailer are better options since they specialize in collector vehicles.
How long does it take to sell on Hemmings vs Autotrader?
Hemmings auctions run for 7 days. If your car doesn’t hit reserve, it converts to a Make Offer listing that runs up to 6 months at no extra charge.
Autotrader ads run for 180 days, not until the car sells, and Autotrader can pull one sooner if you stop answering buyers. Neither platform guarantees a sale timeline since you’re waiting for private buyers.
Which has better reviews: Hemmings or Autotrader?
Hemmings has 2.2/5 on Trustpilot (9 reviews).
Autotrader has 3.7/5 on Trustpilot (1,562 reviews), and the BBB grades it D- without accreditation.
Hemmings draws few seller reviews. Its sellers’ BBB complaints center on the reserve: who sets it, and the charge for pulling a car after agreeing to it.
In the Autotrader reviews we read, sellers describe scam messages, support that couldn’t stop them, and low cash offers from Autotrader itself and from dealers.
Can I sell a financed car through these platforms?
Yes, but differently. Autotrader’s Private Seller Exchange processes your loan payoff for you. They ensure it’s done correctly so buyers know they’ll receive the title once the lender releases it.
On Hemmings, you pay off the loan yourself before transferring the title, unless you use its optional Pay + Title service, which pays your lender as part of the sale for a flat $299. Autotrader’s approach is easier and safer if you still have a car loan.
What happens if the buyer backs out on Hemmings?
You can relist your car, but Hemmings won’t help chase down buyers who don’t follow through. Hemmings still charges that buyer its 5% fee, so walking away costs them money.
Autotrader’s buyer check and payment system reduce this risk, since a buyer must pass an ID check before paying.
Do Hemmings or Autotrader buy cars directly?
No. Both are listing platforms that connect you with private buyers. Neither buys vehicles directly, though Autotrader can send you a cash offer through its network.
If you want an instant offer you can accept online, you’ll need a different service like Carvana for newer cars or Peddle for junk cars.
Is Hemmings or Autotrader safer for private sales?
Autotrader is safer. They check every buyer’s ID through Stripe before the buyer pays, process payments through a secure system, and keep your contact info private until you’re ready to share it.
Hemmings checks a credit card before anyone can bid. After the sale, you and the buyer handle the rest directly, unless you use its optional $299 Pay + Title service, which checks the buyer’s identity and payment before you hand over the car.
Article Update History
Updated
Fees, Trustpilot ratings and BBB status checked for both, and buyer verification and payment added to the comparison table.
