Bring a Trailer, usually shortened to BaT, is the best-known online auction site for enthusiast cars. Its fee structure is simple and unusually kind to sellers: you pay a flat listing fee and keep the whole winning bid. The buyer pays the commission.
That doesn't mean the buyer's fee is irrelevant to you. Bidders know they'll pay it, and they bid with it in mind.
Key numbers
- Seller's listing fee
- $99 for Classic, $429 for Plus, or $2,500 and up for White Glove, as reported by Axis Auto.
- Seller's commission
- None. Sellers keep 100% of the winning bid.
- Buyer's fee
- 5% of the winning bid, with a $250 minimum and a $7,500 cap.
- If the reserve isn't met
- The listing fee isn't refunded, and you're given the high bidder's contact details.
Bring a Trailer fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Classic listing | $99 | Seller |
| Plus listing | $429 | Seller |
| White Glove listing | $2,500 and up | Seller |
| Commission on the sale | None | — |
| Buyer's fee | 5%, minimum $250, maximum $7,500 | Buyer |
As reported by Axis Auto in March 2026 and consistent with The Autopian's reporting, checked October 2026. Bring a Trailer sets and changes its own fees, so confirm them on its site before you list.
What each listing option includes
- Classic, $99. You supply the photos and the car's details. Bring a Trailer's team writes and formats the listing.
- Plus, $429. Everything in Classic, plus a professional photographer who comes to you. For an expensive car, good photos are usually worth far more than the difference.
- White Glove, $2,500 and up. A higher-touch service with a dedicated specialist, aimed at significant cars and collections.
The listing fee is non-refundable, whether or not the car sells.
How the buyer's fee affects your price
For vehicles, the buyer's fee is 5% of the winning bid, with a $250 minimum, and it stops rising at $7,500. (Axis Auto notes that some other auction categories carry a different fee.) That cap matters for exotic cars, because it's reached at a $150,000 bid. Above that, the fee becomes a smaller and smaller share of the price.
| Winning bid | Buyer's fee | Fee as a share |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $2,500 | 5% |
| $100,000 | $5,000 | 5% |
| $150,000 | $7,500 | 5% |
| $300,000 | $7,500 | 2.5% |
Experienced bidders treat the fee as part of what the car costs them. If a buyer has $105,000 to spend, they'll stop bidding near $100,000. The fee doesn't come out of your proceeds, but it does shape where the bidding ends.
How selling on Bring a Trailer works
- Submit the car. Bring a Trailer reviews submissions and doesn't accept every car.
- Agree the reserve. You can set a minimum price or sell with no reserve.
- Approve the listing. The site writes it from your details, photos and records.
- Run the auction. It lasts about a week. Sellers are expected to answer questions in the comments, and active sellers tend to do better.
- Complete the sale. The buyer pays the seller directly and arranges collection or transport.
If the bidding doesn't reach your reserve, the car doesn't sell. According to Axis Auto, Bring a Trailer gives you the high bidder's contact details so you can try to negotiate a deal directly.
Is Bring a Trailer the right route for your car?
Auctions suit cars that get enthusiasts competing: manuals, limited editions, unusual colors, low miles and well-documented examples. They suit ordinary specifications less well, and they take more of your time than a dealer or specialist sale.
Compare it with Cars & Bids, see the side-by-side comparison, or read how all five ways to sell compare.
Common questions
How much does it cost to sell a car on Bring a Trailer?
A flat listing fee: $99 for Classic, $429 for Plus with professional photos, or $2,500 and up for White Glove, as reported by Axis Auto in March 2026. There's no commission on the sale.
What is the Bring a Trailer buyer's fee?
5% of the winning bid, with a minimum of $250 and a maximum of $7,500.
Is the Bring a Trailer listing fee refundable?
No. Axis Auto reports that listing fees are non-refundable, whether or not the car sells.
What happens if my car doesn't meet reserve on Bring a Trailer?
The car doesn't sell. Axis Auto reports that Bring a Trailer provides the high bidder's contact details so you can negotiate directly.
Sources
- Axis Auto: Bring a Trailer fees 2026 (March 23, 2026)
- The Autopian: Cars & Bids raises its buyer fees to match Bring a Trailer (February 24, 2025)
Figures were checked against these sources in October 2026. Prices change, so confirm before relying on them.