In an auction or a bidding round, the seller can set a reserve price (reserveprijs): the lowest amount they are willing to sell for. Bidders can't see it. If the highest bid stays below it, the seller is not obliged to sell.
How it works at Sell Your Car:
- Sealed bid: when you ask for bids, we invite verified dealers. Each dealer places one sealed bid before the deadline and cannot see the amounts of other dealers.
- You choose: after the deadline you see all bids next to your minimum price. You accept one bid, or none. Only after acceptance do you and the dealer get each other's contact details.
Why it matters when buying or selling
As a seller, a reserve protects you from selling too cheaply. Set it realistically, based on a valuation: a reserve that is too high often means you accept no bid and the car doesn't sell. As a dealer, decide your maximum in advance and bid your real price straight away. Read how it works in our guide to bidding on a car.