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© 2026 - Octane Automotive BV
© 2026 - Octane Automotive BV
You have decided to sell your special car. Maybe it is a Porsche 911 you have cherished for years, or a BMW M3 that has served you faithfully on the Nurburgring. The first thought for many sellers: "I will list it on a classifieds site." That is understandable. Classified platforms are the most well-known option and nearly everyone has used one.
But are classifieds the right place for an enthusiast car? The short answer: it depends on your car and your expectations. Classifieds are designed for volume, from second-hand furniture to used cars. That means enormous reach, but also an audience that primarily shops on price. For a Volkswagen Golf, that is fine. For a car with a unique story, rare specifications, or a devoted maintenance history, it can be a very different story.
In this comparison, we place both options side by side: listing on a general classifieds platform versus auctioning through a specialized platform. We look at reach, target audience, time investment, costs, and ultimate proceeds.
| Factor | Octane Auction | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Target audience | Focused enthusiasts and collectors actively searching for special cars | Broad audience of all buyer types, many bargain hunters and tire kickers |
| Presentation | Professional listing with editorial description, structured specs, and highlighted details | Own photos and text, varying quality, no editorial oversight |
| Pricing | Transparent auction process where the market sets the price through competitive bidding | Fixed asking price with endless negotiation, often being lowballed |
| Time investment | Minimal after submission. Octane handles presentation and communication | Many messages to answer, no-shows at viewings, repeated relisting |
| Reach | European network of serious buyers specifically looking for enthusiast cars | Primarily local and national, no filtered audience |
| Costs | Commission only on successful sale | Advertising costs per listing, pay again when renewing |
| Safety | Verified buyers, professional payment process | Unknown buyers, risk of scams and fake offers |
| Sales speed | Fixed auction end date creates urgency among buyers | Can take weeks to months, listing gets buried |
| Emotional value | Buyers understand and appreciate the story behind the car | Buyers focus primarily on price and mileage |
| Price protection | Reserve possible as safety net, set jointly with the Octane team | No protection: you accept an offer or start over |
Classifieds are a fine option for common used cars where price is the main selling point. Think of a five-year-old Volkswagen Polo, a base-spec Ford Focus, or a Toyota Yaris. These types of cars attract buyers who choose primarily based on price and mileage, and there is nothing wrong with that.
A specialized auction is the better choice as soon as your car has something special. That could be a rare color combination, a comprehensive service book from a marque specialist, low mileage for its age, or simply a brand with a loyal following of enthusiasts. Think of an Alfa Romeo GTV with full history, a Mercedes-Benz SL with hardtop, or a Mazda MX-5 NA in original condition.
The difference lies in the buyer: on classifieds you compete with hundreds of similar listings. On a specialized auction platform, you present your car to an audience actively searching for exactly this type of car, and willing to pay its true value.
Octane is built for one purpose: connecting special cars with the right buyers. Where classifieds are a digital flea market (great for volume, but not for value discovery), Octane offers a platform where every car gets the attention it deserves.
In practice, that means: a professionally crafted listing with editorial text, European reach to thousands of active enthusiasts, and an auction format that has buyers bidding against each other instead of negotiating against you. The result is a fair market price without the frustration of lowball offers.
Additionally, Octane offers the option to set a reserve together. This confidential minimum price, which you determine jointly with the Octane team, remains invisible to bidders throughout the entire auction. This gives you protection without affecting the auction dynamics.
Submit your car and our team will review it within 48 hours