Overview
It’s normal for your final auction offer to be higher or lower than your initial estimate.
Your Bidbus estimate is based on historical sales data, market trends, and dealer demand. It’s a guide to what similar cars have sold for recently.
The auction, however, represents true market value — because it’s based on real dealers competing for your exact vehicle, in real time.
Why they can differ
Estimates are predictive – they use past data to forecast what your car should be worth.
Auctions are live – they show what dealers are actually willing to pay today, for your exact car.
The difference can go both ways: sometimes higher than your estimate, sometimes lower.
Real-life examples
Housing market 🏡: A house may be “valued” at $500,000 based on past sales, but if multiple buyers bid, it may sell for $530,000 — or less if fewer buyers are interested.
Stock market 📈: Analysts may say a stock is worth $50, but in live trading, it could rise to $55 or fall to $45 depending on demand.
Car example 🚗: Your estimate may show $25,000 for your SUV. If several dealers urgently need that model, bidding could push it up to $26,500. If demand is softer, it may close closer to $24,500.
In short
The estimate is a starting point, based on history. The auction is the real market test, and the final result may be higher or lower — but it always reflects what your car is truly worth today.