How Karma Auto Auction Works
The simplest, most trusted way to buy and sell vehicles in Canada
For Buyers
Browse & Search
Explore thousands of vehicles from verified sellers across Canada. Filter by make, model, price, location, and more. Every listing includes detailed photos, condition reports, and vehicle history.
Place a Deposit
To bid or make an offer, place a refundable deposit. This ensures serious buyers only and protects sellers.
$250 deposit
$500 deposit
✓ Fully refunded if you don't win
✓ Applied to purchase if you win
✓ Forfeited if you back out after winning
Bid, Buy, or Make an Offer
Choose how you want to purchase:
Auction
Compete with other buyers. Place bids in real-time auctions lasting 1-7 days. Watch for "Reserve Met" to know the vehicle will sell.
Buy It Now
Skip the auction and purchase instantly at the listed price. Perfect when you find exactly what you want.
Make an Offer
Negotiate directly with the seller. You get 6 attempts to reach an agreement. Message back and forth to discuss terms.
Win & Sign Contract
When you win, a legally binding purchase agreement is automatically generated with all vehicle details, pricing, and terms. Sign digitally right from your phone.
Pay & Pick Up
Complete payment and arrange pickup within 3 business days. Coordinate directly with the seller through our secure messaging system.
Buyer Success Fee
This fee covers our platform services, secure transactions, legal contract generation, and buyer protection. You only pay when you successfully purchase a vehicle.
For Sellers
Scan Your VIN
Use your phone camera to scan the VIN barcode or enter it manually. We'll automatically decode your vehicle's year, make, model, and specifications.
Take Photos & Video
Our guided camera system walks you through capturing all required photos - 8 exterior angles, interior shots, dashboard with mileage, and a 30-second walk-around video. All photos must be taken live to ensure accuracy.
All media is timestamped and verified
This builds trust with buyers and helps your vehicle sell faster.
Complete Condition Report
Answer honest questions about your vehicle's condition, history, and any issues. Being transparent builds buyer confidence and leads to smoother transactions.
Choose Your Selling Method
Select from three options:
- Auction: Set a starting bid and optional reserve price. Let buyers compete for 1-7 days.
- Buy It Now: Set a fixed price for immediate sale.
- Make an Offer: Set an asking price and negotiate with interested buyers.
Publish & Sell
Once published, your listing is visible to thousands of qualified buyers. When sold, we generate the purchase agreement and you coordinate payment and pickup with the buyer.
Seller Fees
List as many vehicles as you want at no cost.
Only pay when your vehicle sells.
If your vehicle doesn't sell, re-list it for just 99 cents.
For Dealerships
Everything consumers get, plus tools designed for high-volume sellers.
Unlimited Listings
List your entire inventory with no caps or limits.
My Garage
Stage vehicles before listing. Re-run unsold inventory easily.
Carfax Integration
Connect your Carfax account for automatic report attachment.
As-Is / Wholesale
Sell trade-ins and wholesale units with proper disclosures.
Scheduled Listings
Prepare listings and schedule them to go live at optimal times.
Dealer Dashboard
Analytics, reporting, and inventory management in one place.
Requirements
- ✓ Valid Motor Dealer License (VSA registered)
- ✓ Safety inspection required for retail listings
- ✓ Carfax report mandatory for all listings
Trust & Safety
Karma Verified
Listings that pass our photo, data, and condition checks earn the Karma Verified badge.
Secure Payments
All transactions processed through Stripe with industry-leading security and encryption.
Legal Contracts
Auto-generated purchase agreements that are legally binding with digital signatures.
Deposit Protection
Deposits ensure serious buyers. Refunded if you don't win, applied to purchase if you do.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my deposit if I don't win?
Your deposit is fully refunded within 3-5 business days if you don't win the auction or if your offer is declined.
What if I win but the seller backs out?
If a seller fails to complete a sale after agreeing, they lose their seller privileges and you receive a full refund of your deposit plus the buyer fee.
Can I inspect the vehicle before buying?
You can message sellers to arrange inspections. All listings include comprehensive photos, condition reports, and for dealer listings, Carfax reports and safety inspections.
How long do I have to pay and pick up?
Buyers have 3 business days to complete payment and arrange pickup after signing the purchase agreement.
What does 'As-Is' mean for dealer listings?
As-Is vehicles are sold without safety certification and may not be roadworthy. Buyers must arrange towing and acknowledge the vehicle doesn't meet Motor Vehicle Act standards.
Ready to Get Started?
Join thousands of Canadians buying and selling vehicles the smarter way.