It is certainly not only due to the coronavirus-related restrictions that online auctions are becoming increasingly popular, especially in Germany. The international online auction house Catawiki reports that more than 10,000 sellers from Germany auctioned off over 340,000 items worth around EUR 30 million in 2020. Of course, not only automobiles were offered here, but classic vehicles appear in almost all charts.
Valuable classic cars
The most expensive item bought at auction by a German in 2020 was an American Pierce-Arrow vehicle from 1936. The classic car went under the hammer for 181,000 euros. It was followed by a Mercedes-Benz 220 S Ponton (W180) Cabriolet from 1957, which found a new owner for 113,750 euros.
One of the most expensive items offered by Germans was a 190 SL Mercedes-Benz from 1957, which changed hands for 93,000 euros.
More than 60 bids were received for a Mini 1000, and a Lamborghini Murciélago was viewed more than 17,000 times (views).
Increasing acceptance among buyers too
In addition to the increasing number of sellers from Germany, more and more buyers are also finding their way to the online marketplace: in 2020, more than 50,000 German users bought 145,000 items worth EUR 35 million at auctions on the platform.
Buyers can rely on the quality and authenticity of the items on offer. 240 internal Catawiki experts from fields such as art, design, jewelry, watches and vintage cars examine and carefully select all items submitted. Any item that does not meet the high quality standards is not auctioned. For this reason, only half of the items submitted from Germany were accepted immediately last year. This ensures a high level of customer satisfaction and 80% of our German buyers were repeat buyers last year. Not surprisingly, 98% of German buyers also give us positive reviews.
According to Catawiki's research, classic cars were particularly popular with German buyers, ahead of jewelry, wristwatches, art and diamonds.
Already 13 years of success
Since Catawiki was founded in the Netherlands in 2008, the platform has developed into one of the most visited curated marketplaces for special objects in Europe. The website has more than ten million unique visitors. In total, around 60,000 Germans use Catawiki to either sell or buy in a secure environment.
Further information and Catawiki's current range of classic cars can be found on the online auction house's website.
