Straight answers before you hand over a VIN.
Negative equity, leases, non-running cars, payment timing and coverage. If your question is not here, email us and we will answer it and add it.
What if I still owe more than the car is worth?
You can still sell. If the winning bid is below your payoff, the difference is negative equity and you settle it at closing — usually by certified funds or a card payment to the lien holder through the closing process. We show you the exact shortfall before you accept the bid, so there is never a surprise. If you would rather not proceed, you decline and nothing is charged.
Can I sell a leased car?
In most cases yes, provided your leasing company permits a third-party buyout and will issue a payoff quote. Some captive lenders restrict buyouts to their own franchise dealerships, which limits who can bid. Enter the vehicle as normal and disclose that it is leased in the notes; we confirm buyout eligibility with the lender before your auction closes.
What if the car does not run?
Non-running and mechanically damaged vehicles are welcome, and dealers bid on them regularly. Disclose the condition accurately and photograph the affected areas. Because the vehicle cannot be driven, fulfilment is arranged as a tow rather than a drive-in handoff, and that cost is factored into dealer bids.
Do I have to accept the winning bid?
No. You set a reserve price that dealers never see, and when the auction closes you decide whether to accept. Declining is free and there is no penalty. If you decline or the reserve is not met, you can relist with an adjusted reserve.
How exactly do I get paid?
After you accept, the winning dealership funds the purchase through the platform. Any lien is paid off directly to your lender and your balance is sent by electronic transfer to the account you nominate. Funds are typically released once the vehicle has been released to the dealership and the title paperwork is signed — commonly within one to two business days of handoff.
What does it cost me?
Nothing. Listing, running the auction and completing the sale are free for sellers. The winning dealership pays a single acquisition fee based on the sale price tier, published in full on our pricing page.
How long does the auction run?
48 hours from publication. A bid placed in the final two minutes extends the close automatically, so a late bid can never win by timing alone — a genuine high bidder always has a chance to respond.
Who can see my car and my information?
Only dealerships whose licence we have verified. They see the vehicle, the condition profile, the photographs and the general area. They never see your reserve price, your contact details while bidding, or what other dealers have bid. Your information is not resold as a lead.
What states do you operate in?
YourCarBid currently runs auctions for vehicles located in Southern California, and is expanding to additional California metros. Enter your ZIP code and we will tell you immediately whether dealers are bidding in your area.
Can a dealer lower the price after winning?
Not unilaterally. A winning bid is binding against the condition you disclosed. A dealership may only raise a claim through structured arbitration and only for a material issue that was not disclosed, such as undisclosed structural damage or a misstated odometer. If the parties cannot agree, you keep your vehicle and the transaction is cancelled.
Do I need the title in hand?
You need to be able to transfer clear title. If your lender holds the title because of an outstanding loan, that is normal and handled by the payoff process. If your title is lost, you can apply for a duplicate with your state motor vehicle agency and we can still open the auction in the meantime.
How accurate is the estimated range?
The range is modeled from recent regional wholesale comparables for the same year, make and model, adjusted for your mileage. It is an estimate to help you decide whether to proceed, not an offer. Real bids can land above or below it depending on condition, colour, options and how much local demand exists that week.