Hemmings Reviews

Hemmings began in 1954 as a publication that advertised specialty vehicles for car enthusiasts. Today, Hemmings offers:

• Three publications in both print and digital formats
• Curated digital auctions for specialty cars, trucks, motorcycles and parts
• Searchable classified ads

Customers interested in Hemmings publications can sign up for a free trial issue or subscribe on its website. Road-ready vehicles can be sold at a Hemmings auction after a listing specialist interviews the seller and each vehicle is carefully reviewed. Hemmings’ classified ads, which are free to browse, list thousands of cars for sale by dealerships and private sellers.

Hemmings also hosts Musclepalooza, an annual car show in West Lebanon, New York, and other events for automotive enthusiasts.

You can sell automobiles and parts through Hemmings in two ways — auction or classified ads:

• Selling through a Hemmings auction: Cars that are roadworthy and preapproved by a listing specialist can be sold at a Hemmings auction. Hemmings auctions are curated, last two weeks and have a sell-through rate of 75% at the time of publishing.
• Selling through a Hemmings ad: A broader array of cars can be sold through a Hemmings ad. All purchased ads run on the website for six months and in print for one month.

If you’re looking to buy, you can search both Hemmings’ auctions and classified ads for free on its website. Like with most digital classified ads, you can contact the seller through an online form if you’re interested in a vehicle. The process for buying through a print ad varies.

In order to participate in online auctions, you must create an account and provide a valid credit card. You can also opt to passively “watch” an auction, receiving email alerts regarding any recent activity on the car.

You can place bids online if you’re ready to buy a vehicle. All bids are final and cannot be canceled. Any bids made within the last five minutes of an auction will add two minutes to the time allowed, giving everyone involved a chance to make a final competitive bid.

If you do not win the auction, you will not be charged for participating. If you win the auction, you will be notified immediately to begin making financial arrangements.

Buying a car at a Hemmings auction requires you to pay a buyer’s fee that’s an extra 5% of the total bid. This fee has a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $10,000. There are no charges for participating in auctions if you do not win, and there is no charge for placing a bid. However, bidding results in a hold placed on your credit card for the buyer’s fee.

Classified ads are free to browse, and there’s no buyer's fee on these listings. Buyers make all payment arrangements with sellers directly. However, because Hemmings does not screen these vehicles in any way, it urges you to review the “Buying Tips” section listed on its site before purchasing any vehicle through online classified ads.

To sell a car in a Hemmings auction, you’ll need to pay a $99.95 listing fee. If the vehicle does not sell at auction, you will receive six months of Hemmings classified ad space for free.

To qualify for a Hemmings auction, the car must be roadworthy and you must submit to an assessment with a listing specialist. Customers whose cars are not selected for auction are not charged.

If you’re interested in listing your vehicle in Hemmings’ publications and searchable, online classified ads, you have two packages to choose from:

• The Silver Package costs $129.95 for six months online, with up to 35 photos in an online gallery, one month in print, a small magazine ad and one photo.
• The Gold Package costs $189.95 for six months online, with up to 50 photos in an online gallery, one month in print, a large magazine ad and a three-photo layout.

Hemmings is a useful resource for car enthusiasts and hobbyists, but it may not be the right tool for the average car buyer or seller. Its classified ads focus more on buying and selling collector cars, and its auction selection is small and specific to older and high-end offerings. While Hemmings’ auctions are curated by its staff, its classified ad listings are not. To shop safely, Hemmings encourages you to consult the car community, ask for references and hire an appraiser. While Hemmings can’t guarantee the information in each individual ad, it does make an effort to discontinue ads from vendors who have received complaints.