Exotic Cars

European and Japanese exotics should come with service records from franchised dealers or marque specialists, original window sticker (Monroney), books and keys, and clear title. For recent models, obtain a Carfax or AutoCheck report. Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche have factory certification programs — verify the car's data on the manufacturer's registry before bidding.

Private-party eBay auctions can be 5–15% below dealer retail for the same specification, but the savings evaporate if the car needs deferred maintenance. Exotic maintenance is expensive: a Ferrari timing belt service runs $5,000–$8,000, and Lamborghini clutch replacements often exceed $10,000. Always get a specialist inspection and a full maintenance cost estimate before bidding.

Watch for mismatched panel gaps (accident repair), missing service records, low-ball reserve prices on rare cars (triggers competing scammers), sellers who won't provide the VIN before auction ends, and listings that avoid showing the undercarriage or wheel wells. Any seller unwilling to accommodate an independent inspection should be avoided entirely.

Use enclosed transport only — open carriers expose paint to road debris and weather. Enclosed shipping costs $800–$2,500 depending on distance. Book a carrier before you win the auction; transport timing is a common source of disputes. For very rare cars, white-glove single-car carriers offer door-to-door GPS tracking and climate control.