Buying an enthusiast car at auction in Europe
Where to buy an enthusiast car at auction in Europe, what each platform charges you on top of the winning bid, and what to check before you bid. Written by Octane, an online auction for enthusiast cars from sellers in Western Europe.
The guides
Where to buy an enthusiast car at auction in Europe
The European online car auctions compared for buyers: Collecting Cars, Car & Classic, Bring a Trailer, Catawiki, Classic Trader, Dutch auction houses and Octane. Buyer's fees at €25,000 to €100,000, where the cars are, and what to check before you bid.
Updated 30 October 2026
Is there a European Bring a Trailer?
Bring a Trailer auctions cars located in the EU, but its audience is centred on the United States. The European platforms that work the same way, with curated listings, comments and week-long auctions, compared for buyers: Collecting Cars, Car & Classic, Classic Trader and Octane.
Updated 30 October 2026
Buying on Octane
How buying on Octane works
Bidding, the buyer’s fee, the card hold and what happens after you win, step by step.
Current auctions
Seven-day auctions of sports cars, youngtimers and classics from sellers in Western Europe.
Car transport
See roughly what it costs to move a car between two places in Europe, and ask for quotes.
