For licensed dealers
First look at private-seller cars.
Verified franchise and independent dealers get first-look access to private-seller vehicles in DC, MD & VA. Source owner-direct cars and keep your margin.
$499 per winning bid. Pay nothing until you win.
How bidding works
Get verified
Submit your state dealer license, business filing, and proof of location. Approval typically takes 2 business days.
Bid on inventory
Browse live auctions in your markets. You see when a reserve is met and bid in real time against other verified dealers.
Close on your terms
Win the auction, then contact the seller within 24 hours. You handle the title and paperwork directly, no platform middleman.
During our pilot, cars open Monday in 20-minute slots starting at 10:00 AM ET. Each car stays open 72 hours from its own start time, closing at that same time on Thursday. New cars join the next Monday’s lineup as sellers list them through Sunday.
Why dealers choose VINbattle
Real private-seller inventory.
Not wholesale leftovers.
Local-first matching.
Cars within your service area, not across the country.
Transparent fees.
$499 per winning bid. No hidden costs.
- Direct Connect members only
Direct seller leads, first.
Get matched to private sellers the moment their car goes live, ahead of the open floor.
- Direct Connect members only
Wishlist matching.
Tell us the makes and models you stock; we alert you the moment one lands in your market.
- Direct Connect members only
Sell as you source.
Reach owners shopping for their next car, not just the one they're selling.
Two ways to do business
VINbattle
Bid on auctions
Any verified dealer can bid. $499 per winning bid, no cost until you win. No monthly fees.
- Real-time bid feed
- Anonymized bidder IDs during the auction
- Pay only when you win
Direct Connect $299/mo
Optional subscription for dealers who want to source inventory and reach sellers shopping for their next car.
- Saved inventory wishlist with push notifications
- Auction-time match flagging
- Direct seller leads matched to your lot
Connect is optional and does not affect bidding access. Verified-only and Connect-subscribed dealers compete on the same auctions.
Common dealer questions
How do I become a verified dealer?
Apply on the dealer page with your state dealer license, business filing, and proof of physical location. Verification typically takes 2 business days.
Read moreCan a dealer renegotiate after winning?
As long as the car matches the listing, the price you win is the price. A dealer can only walk for a documented, previously undisclosed material difference from the listing (condition, title, mileage, lien); they cannot lower the price.
Read moreHow are walk-away rates tracked?
Your walk-away rate is visible in your dashboard alongside your win rate. Repeated walk-aways trigger review and removal.
Read more