01
Browse the carsall week.
Each lineup goes up about a week early. Every car gets a full listing with photos, video, documents and seller Q&A. Look all you want. Bidding opens Thursday.
The weekly online car auction
How FinalLap Works
Watch the video to see how a FinalLap auction plays out, start to finish.
Learn MoreLearn MoreThe short version
Six things to know.
02
Tune in Thursdaysat 1 PM ET.
This is the part that's different. Every car sells live, one at a time, with everyone watching the same car at the same moment. All the action at once, not spread over a week. It's the energy of a real auction, from your phone.
03
Two minutes.One tap to bid.
Each car gets its own 2 minute clock. Tap once to bid the next increment. No typing, no math. Be quick. Things move fast.
04
Late bids add time.
Bid in the last 20 seconds and the clock gets 20 more, up to 6 times. Nobody wins by sniping at the buzzer.
05
Still a fight?Best & Final.
If bidding is still going after 6 extensions, Best & Final kicks in to settle it. Every bidder gets 30 seconds to enter one sealed number. Highest wins.
06
Sold. Next car up.
The winner and sale price go up on screen. Reserve not met? The top bidder gets 24 hours to buy it at the reserve. Then the next car rolls in. Can't make it Thursday? Set a proxy bid and it bids for you.
The details
One lot, second by second.
Every rule, at the moment it kicks in.
- BEFORE
- The week before
The lineup goes up
Every car gets a full page with photos, video, documents and the seller's description. You can look at everything during the week. You can only bid once the car is live.
Browse and askQuestions go in the comments, and sellers answer them there.Register to bidVerify your phone and add a card. Don’t leave it for 12:59.Set a proxy bidCan’t make it live? Enter your max and the app bids for you. - LIVE · THURSDAY 1 PM ET · ONE CAR AT A TIME
- 2:00
The clock starts
Every car gets its own 2 minute window. Our servers run the clock, not your device, so everyone sees the exact same countdown. Proxy bids are in the fight from the first second.
- 1:30Only if no bids
No bids yet? The price drops
If nobody bids in the first 30 seconds, the price drops one increment every 10 seconds until someone jumps in. Wait for a better price and someone else might grab it first. The first bid stops the drop.
- Any second
One tap bids the next increment
No typing in numbers. The increments get bigger as the price climbs. Whoever's quickest on the button gets the lead.
$250Under $25k$500$25k to $75k$1,000$75k to $150k$2,500$150k to $350k$5,000Over $350k - 0:20
Late bids add time
A bid in the last 20 seconds adds 20 more, up to 6 times. Nobody wins by sniping at the buzzer. Whoever gets outbid always has time to answer.
- +0:30
Still a fight? Best & Final
After the 6th extension, the clock stops and everyone who's bid on that car gets 30 seconds to enter one sealed number. Nobody sees anyone else's. Highest wins. If two numbers tie, the one entered first wins. A proxy bid enters your max for you.
- 0:00
Sold, then the next car
The winner and price are announced along with whether the reserve was met. Then the next car is up and it all starts again.
- AFTER
- Right away
You won. Now what?
Your card is charged the buyer's fee automatically when the auction ends. That's 5% of the winning bid, capped at $7,500. Then we introduce you to the seller to finish the deal.
- Within 24 hours
Reserve not met?
If bidding ends below the seller's reserve, the top bidder gets 24 hours to buy the car at the reserve price. Accept, and the buyer's fee applies just like a normal win.
FAQ
The auction
When are auctions?
Thursdays at 1 PM ET. Each lineup goes up about a week before.
How long does each car take?
2 minutes on the clock. Late bids add time, then Best & Final.
Do I have to watch live to bid?
No. Set a proxy bid during the week and the app bids for you, up to your max.
What if nobody bids early?
If nobody bids in the first 30 seconds, the price drops one increment every 10 seconds until someone does.
What are the bid increments?
$250 under $25,000. $500 from $25,000 to $75,000. $1,000 from $75,000 to $150,000. $2,500 from $150,000 to $350,000. $5,000 over $350,000.
What if my connection drops mid-lot?
The clock runs on our servers, so the lot keeps going without you. If you set a proxy bid, it keeps bidding for you. If you didn't, you'll miss bids until you're back.
Do all cars have a reserve?
No. Some cars have a reserve and some are no reserve.
Who can bid?
Anyone who registers to bid. Every car on FinalLap is located in the US.
Fees and reserve
What's a reserve?
The lowest price the seller will accept. If bidding ends below it, the top bidder gets 24 hours to buy the car at the reserve price. No reserve cars sell to the highest bid.
What's the buyer's fee and when is it charged?
5% of the winning bid, capped at $7,500. Your card is charged automatically when the auction ends.
What happens after I win?
We charge the buyer's fee and introduce you to the seller. Payment for the car and pickup are handled directly between you and the seller.
Proxy bids and ties
How does a proxy bid work?
Enter your max during the week. Whenever someone outbids you, the app bids one increment higher until your max runs out. If the car goes to Best & Final, the app enters your max for you.
Can I change or cancel a proxy bid?
Yes. Raise it, lower it or remove it before the lot opens, and as a max bid while it runs. Changing it never takes back a bid it already placed.
What if two people set the same proxy bid?
Whoever set it first wins the tie.
What if two Best & Final bids are the same?
The one entered first wins.
Account and selling
What's the difference between an account and registering to bid?
An account lets you comment, ask sellers questions and get notified. To bid, verify your phone and add a credit card on file.
Will you remind me?
Yes. Watch a sale or any car in it and we'll remind you a day before, an hour before, and when it goes live.
Can I sell my car on FinalLap?
Yes. Individuals and dealers both sell with us. Tap Sell a Car, fill out the form with your car's info, and we'll be in touch.
