Buy a car at an online auction
Want to sell instead?Benzin is the French online auction platform for sports cars, classic cars, youngtimers and other enthusiast vehicles. Each sale lasts a few days and takes place entirely online, from private sellers and professionals alike, with detailed listings, dozens of photos and sellers who answer questions publicly. Here is how to buy your next car at auction, step by step.
How does an auction work on Benzin?
Six steps, entirely online.
-
01
Find the car
Read the whole listing: photos, history, equipment. Ask your questions in the comments: the seller answers publicly.
-
02
Create your account
Register your bank card: a security hold of €300 to €1,000 is placed during the sale, with no charge.
-
03
Bid
Your bid is placed immediately. A bid in the last two minutes extends the sale by two minutes.
-
04
The end of the sale
The highest bid wins if it meets the reserve price. Otherwise, bids remain valid for two business days.
-
05
Payment
Benzin’s fee is charged to your card, then you pay for the car within 7 days by bank transfer, into escrow if it is eligible.
-
06
Collecting the car
Collect the car from the seller or have Benzin deliver it. Registering it in your name remains your responsibility.
How much does it cost to buy a car at auction?
Simple fees, charged only if you win the sale.
When you win
3.9 % incl. VAT
of the final price, on top of the price paid to the seller
To bid
€0
Just a security hold of €300 to €1,000 on your card: nothing is charged unless you win.
By comparison, traditional auction houses often charge buyer’s premiums above 15 %. Remember to add any delivery and registration costs to your budget.
A bid is binding: it cannot be withdrawn. Withdrawing outside the No Surprise Guarantee means paying the full service fee (6.5 % excl. VAT, i.e. 7.8 % incl. VAT, with a minimum of €398 incl. VAT).
Why buy on Benzin?
Secure payment
For eligible vehicles, your money waits in an escrow account and is only released to the seller once the car is handed over.
No Surprise Guarantee
A major defect that was not disclosed in the listing? You cancel the sale before the money is released to the seller.
Home delivery
Our transport service can deliver the car to your door: the cost can be estimated directly on the listing.
Transparent listings
Dozens of photos, the vehicle’s history and sellers who answer every question publicly.
119,000 enthusiasts
Bidders verified by bank card and 700 sales a year: sports cars, classics and youngtimers.
Capped fees
3.9 % incl. VAT only if you win, capped at €3,900. Signing up and bidding are free.
Live auctions
Values and sales of the best-selling models
Real prices, past sale results and cars for sale, model by model.
Peugeot 205 GTI
114 sold
BMW Serie 3 e30
88 sold
BMW Serie 3 e46
77 sold
Fiat 500 Nuova
63 sold
Honda Motos
54 sold
Volkswagen Golf 2
53 sold
BMW Serie 3 e36
51 sold
Mini Cooper S / JCW
45 sold
Peugeot 205
39 sold
Peugeot 406 / Coupé
36 sold
BMW Z3 Roadster
34 sold
Mini Classic / Austin / Innocenti
32 sold
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to buy a car at an online auction?
Yes, as long as you prepare your purchase. On Benzin, sellers answer questions publicly, visits are possible when the seller agrees, and vehicles eligible for Secure Payment are paid into an escrow account and covered by the No Surprise Guarantee. Since 2017, our customers have rated us 4.7/5 from 250 reviews.
What fees does the buyer pay?
3.9 % incl. VAT of the final price, with a minimum of €199 and a maximum of €3,900, only if you win the sale. Signing up and bidding are free.
Do I have to pay to bid?
No. A security hold of €300 to €1,000 is placed on your card during the sale, but nothing is charged unless you win.
What is a reserve price?
It is the minimum price set by the seller, which is not displayed. If the highest bid does not reach it, the car is not sold automatically, but the seller can still accept a bid for two business days after the end of the sale.
Can I cancel a bid?
No, a bid cannot be withdrawn. Only the No Surprise Guarantee lets you cancel the purchase if the vehicle has a major defect that was not disclosed in the listing.
Can I see the car before bidding?
Yes, if the seller accepts visits: use the "Request a visit" button on the listing. You can also ask all your questions in the comments.
How do I collect the car after buying it?
You collect it from the seller, unless stated otherwise, or have Benzin deliver it. The delivery cost can be estimated directly on the listing.
Can I buy from abroad?
Yes: Benzin members come from 80 countries. Registering the car in your country remains your responsibility.
Ready to bid?
Discover the sports cars, classics and youngtimers for sale this week.
See live auctionsOur clients' reviews
4.7/5 (268)Très bonne expérience avec Benzin pour la vente de mon véhicule. Merci particulièrement à Thomas pour son professionnalisme, sa disponibilité et son a...
StephaneLe top du top pour vendre rapidement un véhicule ! Benzin permet de donner une visibilité qu'aucun autre service de vente de véhicule est capable de f...
ClientJ'ai acheté une petite DS3 par le Via benzin tout c'est bien passé. très organisé bon suivie rien a dire.
Lionel DelpeyrouxTop, rien à dire du côté de Benzin!
Leo REVELJ'ai acheté un véhicule au enchères via Benzin en mai 2026, une première pour moi, tout c'est bien passé, le véhicule était conforme à la description...
RsTeamJ'ai acheté un véhicule ancien sur Benzin, l'expérience globale était parfaite pour un premier achat aux enchères. Explications claires sur le foncti...
The Spook
English
Français
Español
Italiano
Deutsch
Polski
Magyar
