Follow these steps to successfully purchase your next vehicle
Sign up for a free DriveLane account to start bidding and making offers
Registration is free and takes less than 2 minutes
Explore available vehicles and find the perfect match for your needs
Browse active auctions with time remaining
Some listings accept direct offers
Do your due diligence before placing a bid
Important: All sales are final. Inspect carefully and ask questions before bidding.
Compete in the auction or make a direct offer
Secure your purchase with our trusted payment system
All payments are processed securely with buyer protection
You pay exactly what you bid - no hidden charges
Coordinate pickup or shipping with the seller
Final Step: Once you receive the vehicle and confirm satisfaction, leave a rating for the seller to help our community.
Expert advice to help you win without overpaying
Determine your maximum price before bidding and stick to it. Factor in additional costs like inspection, transport, registration, and repairs.
Check recent sales of similar vehicles on DriveLane and other platforms. Look at condition, mileage, and options to gauge fair market value.
Monitor the auction but avoid showing your hand too early. Many serious bidders wait until the final hours to place their maximum bid.
Use the comments section to ask the seller any questions. Getting answers early gives you confidence and time to decide on your bid.
No! DriveLane charges zero buyer fees. You pay exactly what you bid or offer - nothing more. Sellers pay a small listing fee to cover platform costs.
Most auctions run for 7 days, but sellers can choose different durations. The exact end time is displayed on each listing. Auctions end at the scheduled time with no extensions.
While you can't physically inspect before bidding in most cases, we encourage sellers to provide detailed photos, videos, and descriptions. You can also request a pre-purchase inspection through a local mechanic, though this is at your expense.
You'll receive a notification and email with payment instructions. You typically have 24-48 hours to complete payment. Once paid, coordinate with the seller for pickup or shipping. Remember, all bids are binding commitments.
Bids are binding and cannot be cancelled. Only place a bid if you're committed to purchasing the vehicle at that price. This ensures a fair marketplace for all buyers and sellers.
Secure payment methods include wire transfer, certified bank checks, and in some cases, escrow services. Specific payment options are detailed in each listing. Never use cash or unsecured payment methods.
All listings are verified, and we encourage detailed documentation. However, all sales are final and "as-is." We strongly recommend thorough research and inspection before bidding. Our rating system helps identify reputable sellers.