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3 Best Car Auction in Seattle (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

Talise Sterling
By Talise Sterling, Goods and Shopping · ✓ Data verified July 2026 · 6 min read

Ratings for car auction options in Seattle swing from 2.7 all the way up to 4.5, a spread of 1.8 stars that's wider than almost anywhere else on this site. That's the real story here: whether you have a good experience buying a car at auction in Seattle depends enormously on which lot you walk into, and the reviews make that difference impossible to ignore.

Short answer: Kaman Auctions LLC in Edmonds holds the top rating among Seattle's car auction options at 4.5 stars from 71 reviews, with buyers citing a friendly, straightforward donation and purchase process. Manheim Seattle Auto Auction in Kent runs the larger dealer-focused operation at 4.0 stars from 348 reviews, the trade auction model most people picture when they think of a car auction.
Jump to a business

Seattle's Car Auction Options, Side by Side

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 Manheim Seattle Auto Auction 4.0 ★ 348 Dealer-scale volume View ›
2 Kaman Auctions LLC 4.5 ★ 71 Friendliest process, donation-friendly View ›
3 Gary's Westside Towing 2.7 ★ 184 Towing-adjacent auction lot View ›
3 Best Car Auction in Seattle (2026)

Our picks, reviewed

Manheim Seattle Auto Auction logo
#1 Overall🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Manheim Seattle Auto Auction

4.0348 Google reviews

Manheim Seattle Auto Auction operates out of Kent as part of Manheim's national network, one of the largest wholesale vehicle marketplaces in the country. The Kent location runs weekly dealer auctions alongside reconditioning, inspection, and title management services, and Manheim also lists select public auction sales at some of its locations.

What people praise

  • Large, established network with over 100 locations, giving broad access to inventory
  • Offers reconditioning and inspection services alongside the auction itself

Worth knowing

  • Customer service phone lines have drawn complaints about long hold times
  • Truck drivers and pickup logistics have been a repeated sticking point in reviews
Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle
Rating4 / 5
Review volume348 · 90th
Confidencemoderate
Recency6 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown58% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: It's the biggest name here by far, and the review volume reflects the sheer number of transactions passing through. If you go, budget extra time for pickup logistics and confirm condition reports carefully before you commit to a lot.

Website+1253-872-6800 Directions

19711 77th Ave S, Kent, WA 98032

Kaman Auctions LLC logo
#2🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Kaman Auctions LLC

4.571 Google reviews

Kaman Auctions LLC runs from Edmonds, north of Seattle, handling both vehicle auctions and charitable car donation processing. Reviewers describe a smaller, more personal operation than the bigger dealer auctions, with named staff repeatedly thanked by name for their help.

What people praise

  • Staff get named and thanked individually across multiple reviews
  • Donation pickups described as quick, sometimes under five minutes including a dead-battery jump
  • Buyers who've purchased dozens of vehicles here describe consistent, honest service
  • Charitable proceeds from donated vehicles are highlighted by reviewers as a genuine plus
Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle
Rating4.5 / 5
Review volume71 · 50th
Confidenceearly
Recency11 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown80% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: It holds the top rating on this page, and the personal touch reviewers describe is a real point of difference from a large dealer-only lot. Worth a call ahead if you're new to the auction rather than donating a car.

Website+1425-640-5111 Directions

23110-B Hwy 99, Edmonds, WA 98026

Gary's Westside Towing logo
#3🕑 Open 5 days/wk

Gary's Westside Towing

2.7184 Google reviews

Gary's Westside Towing operates from South Seattle primarily as a 24-hour towing and impound service, with auto auctions listed as a secondary line of business alongside its towing and impound operations.

What people praise

  • Responsive dispatch praised for special vehicle towing jobs
  • Round-the-clock availability for towing calls

Worth knowing

  • Impound release fees and timing have drawn detailed complaints from customers
  • Best approached as a towing and impound service first, auction second
Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle
Rating2.7 / 5
Review volume184 · 70th
Confidenceearly
Recency4 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown35% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Towing is clearly this business's main line of work, and the auction side is a smaller part of what it does. It ranks last here on both rating and the nature of the feedback, most of which concerns impound recovery rather than auction bidding itself.

Website+1206-762-8881 Directions

5939 4th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108

4

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How we rank these

Rating is the live Google average. Review volume measures how many customers actually left feedback, which we weigh against the rating so a smaller sample doesn’t automatically outrank a business with a longer track record. Confidence blends the two, and recency checks whether people are still reviewing the business now. No business can pay to move up this list.

What does buying at a car auction in Seattle cost? (2026)

Costs vary by whether you’re a licensed dealer bidding at a wholesale lot like Manheim or a general buyer at a smaller auction, and specific published fees weren’t available for the businesses on this page. Ask each operator directly about registration requirements and any buyer’s fee before you plan to bid.

Serving greater Seattle

These auction options span from Kent in the south to Edmonds in the north, with a South Seattle option closer to downtown. If you’re searching for a car auction near me in Seattle, the greater metro area covers a real spread, so factor in drive time before you plan a visit around a specific auction day.

What to ask before you bid at a car auction

  • Do I need a dealer license to bid, or is this open to the general public?
  • What is the registration process and is there a deposit required?
  • Can I inspect the vehicle in person before the auction starts?
  • How long does pickup and paperwork typically take after a winning bid?
  • Are there separate fees for release or pickup beyond the winning bid itself?

Frequently asked questions

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner (badge and top placement), but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How did you choose these car auction options?

We pulled every car auction business in Seattle with a real Google presence, then ranked by rating weighted against review volume, so a strong score needs real customer numbers behind it.

How often is this list updated?

We refresh the data periodically. This page reflects real Google ratings and review counts as of July 2026.

Can the general public bid at Manheim auctions?

Manheim primarily serves licensed dealers, though it lists select public auction sales at some locations, so check directly for public access at the Seattle lot.

Can I donate a car instead of selling it at auction?

Yes. Kaman Auctions LLC processes charitable vehicle donations alongside its regular auction business, with reviewers describing quick, straightforward pickups.

The bottom line

Kaman Auctions LLC is the safe default for the friendliest, most straightforward experience, especially if you’re donating a vehicle rather than bidding as a dealer. If you need dealer-scale volume, Manheim is the name to know, just budget extra time for pickup logistics.

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