RM Sotheby's
RM Sotheby's runs high-end live and online collector car auctions in North America, Europe and the Middle East. This page covers what it sells, how registration and buying work, and every buyer cost we could find for its 2026 sales, with a straight link to rmsothebys.com.
- Founded
- 1991
- Based in
- Blenheim, Ontario
- Buyer's fee
- 12%, 10% over $250k
- Card hold
- $5,000 (Monterey)
Go to RM Sotheby's →How buying worksFees
About RM Sotheby's
RM Sotheby's grew out of a Canadian restoration shop opened in 1976, and its auction business started in 1991. It is based in Blenheim, Ontario, and has offices in the United States, Europe and the Middle East. It has worked with Sotheby's since 2007. Its Monterey sale is its biggest each year.
It holds live sales tied to major car events, such as Arizona in January, Amelia Island, Monterey in August and London. It also runs online-only sales and Sealed, a private-bid online format with no buyer's premium. Live sales take bids on site, by phone and online. Premiums and fees are set for each sale in its bidder conditions.
What RM Sotheby's sells
How buying works at RM Sotheby's
- Make an accountRegister online for the sale you want and choose on site, phone or online bidding.
- Get approvedGive photo ID, proof of funds or a bank letter, and a credit card for a hold. Dealers add a dealer license.
- BidBid on site, by phone or online during the live sale.
- Add the costsAdd 12% of the hammer price up to $250,000 and 10% above that, plus any document fee and tax.
- Pay and collectWire the full amount by 5 p.m. the next business day, then remove the car by the removal deadline.
What it costs
These are the buyer costs RM Sotheby's set for its Monterey sale in August 2026, its main U.S. sale.
| What | Cost |
|---|---|
| Buyer's premium, cars (2026) | 12% of the hammer price up to $250,000 |
| Buyer's premium above $250,000 (2026) | 10% of the amount over $250,000 |
| Motorcycles (2026) | 20% of the hammer price |
| Automobilia (2026) | 20% of the hammer price |
| On-site bidder registration, Monterey 2026 | Up to $400 |
| Credit card hold | $5,000, from registration until the sale ends; charged only if you miss the payment deadline |
| California document fee | $85 per car |
| Removal fee if not collected on time | Up to $1,250 per lot |
| Storage after the removal deadline | Up to $50 per lot per day |
| Crypto payment fee | 1% of the invoice, through BitPay |
| UK sales (Woodcote Park 2026) | 15% plus VAT up to £200,000, 12.5% plus VAT above |
| Sealed online sales | No buyer's premium |
A worked example: a $400,000 car at Monterey pays 12% on the first $250,000 ($30,000) and 10% on the next $150,000 ($15,000), so it costs $445,000 plus the $85 document fee, tax and shipping.
Paying, pickup and storage
| When to pay | In full by 5 p.m. on the next business day after the sale. |
| Payment | Wire transfer from the same name used to register. Crypto through BitPay by prior arrangement. |
| Deposit | A $5,000 card hold at registration; no cash deposit. |
| Pickup | At Monterey 2026, cars had to leave by 5 p.m. on August 17. Book transport right after the sale. |
| Storage | Lots left past the deadline go to storage with a removal fee and a daily charge. |
| Title | Documents are sent within about 20 business days after the sale and payment. |
| Insurance | The car is the buyer's responsibility from the fall of the hammer. |
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UX Search is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by RM Sotheby's. Bidding, payment and delivery all happen on the house's own site under its own terms. Information checked October 22, 2026 from rmsothebys.com (Monterey 2026 bidder info and bidders' conditions, Woodcote Park 2026 bidder info, FAQ, Sealed conditions) and Wikipedia (company history); fees and rules can change, so confirm them on the sale page.