Auction fees work very differently from one auction to the next. Online sites charge the seller little or nothing and cap the buyer's fee. Live auctions charge both sides a percentage, with no cap.
This calculator applies each auction's published fees to your price, so you can compare what you'd actually take home.
Work out your auction fees
| Auction | You pay | You keep | Buyer pays in total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cars & Bids | Nothing | $150,000 | $157,500 |
| Hagerty Marketplace | Nothing | $150,000 | $160,500 |
| Bring a Trailer | $99 listing fee (Classic) | $149,901 | $157,500 |
| PCARMARKET | $99 listing fee | $149,901 | $157,500 |
| Mecum | 10% commission ($15,000) plus a $350–$1,000 entry fee | $134,000–$134,650 | $165,000 |
| Barrett-Jackson | 8% commission ($12,000) plus an entry fee | $138,000, less the entry fee | $165,000 |
| RM Sotheby's, Gooding Christie's, Broad Arrow | Negotiated commission and marketing fee | Depends on your agreement | $168,000 |
At Mecum with a reserve, the car would need to sell for about $167,056 to $167,778 to leave you what $150,000 leaves you on Cars & Bids.
The reserve setting changes Mecum's fees. The bidder setting changes the buyer's premium at Mecum and Barrett-Jackson. Fees checked October 2026.
How the calculator works
- You keep is the winning bid minus the fees the seller pays: listing or entry fees and any commission.
- Buyer pays in total is the winning bid plus the buyer's premium, before taxes, transport and registration.
- Ranges appear where a fee isn't fixed. Mecum's entry fee runs from $350 to $1,000 depending on the sale, and half that for a no-reserve car.
- Barrett-Jackson's entry fee depends on the day and time your car runs and isn't published, so it's shown as an extra to ask about.
- RM Sotheby's, Gooding Christie's and Broad Arrow agree the seller's commission car by car, so only the buyer's side can be calculated.
The same winning bid is unlikely at every auction. A buyer's premium comes out of the bidder's budget, and each auction draws a different crowd. The calculator shows the cost of each route, not which one will bring the highest bid.
The fees it uses
| Auction | Seller pays | Buyer pays on top of the bid |
|---|---|---|
| Cars & Bids | Nothing | 5%, minimum $250, maximum $7,500 |
| Hagerty Marketplace | Nothing | 7%, minimum $500 |
| Bring a Trailer | $99 Classic listing; Plus and White Glove cost more | 5%, minimum $250, maximum $7,500 |
| PCARMARKET | $99 listing fee | 5%, minimum $500, maximum $7,500 |
| Mecum | 10% with a reserve or 6% without, plus an entry fee of $350 to $1,000 (half price with no reserve) | 10% in person, 12% online or by phone, minimum $1,000 |
| Barrett-Jackson | 8% plus an entry fee | 10% on site, 12% absentee |
| RM Sotheby's, Gooding Christie's, Broad Arrow | Negotiated | 12% on the first $250,000, 10% above that |
Checked October 2026. Each figure, and where it comes from, is set out in our guides to selling a car at auction, Bring a Trailer, Cars & Bids, Mecum and Barrett-Jackson. In short: Cars & Bids, Hagerty, PCARMARKET, RM Sotheby's, Gooding Christie's and Broad Arrow from their own sites; Barrett-Jackson's 10% on-site premium from its own site, its 8% commission and 12% absentee premium from Classic.com; Mecum's fees as reported by Motorious and Classic.com; Bring a Trailer's as reported by Axis Auto. Auctions change their fees, so confirm in writing before you consign.
Not sure an auction is right?
Auctions suit cars that get enthusiasts competing, and they take time. A specialist buyer or dealer is quicker and more certain. How selling works compares all five ways to sell, and our guide to the buyer's premium and reserves explains the terms.
Common questions
How much does it cost to sell a car at auction?
From nothing to a few percent online: Cars & Bids and Hagerty Marketplace are free for sellers, and Bring a Trailer and PCARMARKET charge $99. At Mecum, sellers pay 6% or 10% of the winning bid plus an entry fee, as reported by Motorious.
Which car auction has the lowest fees for sellers?
Cars & Bids and Hagerty Marketplace, which charge sellers nothing. The buyer pays a premium instead: 5% capped at $7,500 on Cars & Bids, and 7% with a $500 minimum on Hagerty Marketplace.
What will I keep if my car sells for $150,000?
About $150,000 on Cars & Bids or Hagerty Marketplace, $149,901 on Bring a Trailer or PCARMARKET, and $134,000 to $134,650 at Mecum with a reserve, using each auction's published fees.
Does the calculator include taxes and transport?
No. It covers auction fees only. Transport, detailing, sales tax and registration come on top.