It starts with the car itself
The most important factor in attracting buyers is the car itself. A well-maintained, honestly presented car attracts serious buyers. No tricks, no exaggeration, just quality and transparency. Collector car buyers are generally well-informed and quickly recognize dishonesty.
Presentation makes the difference
The photos and description form the first impression buyers get of your car. The photos are your responsibility (supported by our photo guide and optionally our photo guide and photographer network help you present your car professionally. Together, this determines the difference between a good and an excellent presentation.
Tell your car's story
Collector car buyers do not just buy a vehicle; they also buy the story. Why did you buy this car? What have you experienced with it? What makes it unique? Are there anecdotes that describe the car's character? This kind of information makes an auction personal and distinctive.
A car with a well-documented and engaging story appeals more to buyers than a technically identical car without context. The story does not need to be spectacular; honesty and personality are enough.
Expanding reach
Octane has a European network of thousands of enthusiasts, but you can also contribute to expanding the reach:
- Share the auction link in relevant online groups and forums for your make or model
- Let club members know your car is for sale at auction
- Share the auction on your own social media if you feel comfortable doing so
- Inform acquaintances in the car world who may know interested buyers
- Respond quickly and completely to any questions that come in through Octane
The role of the reserve
The choice of whether to set a reserve influences the dynamics of your auction. A no-reserve auction typically attracts more bidders because buyers know the car will actually be sold. This creates more excitement and can lead to higher final prices. A reserve provides certainty, but can make some buyers more hesitant.
At Octane, the reserve is fully confidential. Bidders do not know the amount and cannot see whether the reserve has been reached. This means the auction dynamics remain largely the same, regardless of whether a reserve has been set.
What Octane does for reach
Octane actively invests in reaching the right buyer audience:
- Regular newsletters to our buyer base featuring new auctions
- Promotion through social media channels with an engaged following
- Targeted outreach within specific make and model communities
- Collaboration with car clubs and enthusiast platforms
- Special cars often receive extra editorial attention
Timing and visibility
The timing of your auction can influence visibility. An auction that runs during a busy period on the platform benefits from higher visitor numbers. At the same time, there is also more competition. In consultation with the Octane team, you can look at optimal scheduling.