Questions & answers

AutoHouseIQ FAQ

Straight answers about how AutoHouseIQ works, what it does and doesn't do, and how you stay protected.

What is AutoHouseIQ?

AutoHouseIQ is a consumer-to-dealer vehicle marketplace. You list your car once and dealers approved by our team compete to buy it in a 23-hour auction. You set a reserve and choose whether to accept. It is a neutral technology platform and marketplace operator — it does not buy, sell or own vehicles — currently onboarding founding sellers and dealers approved by our team across the United States, opening each region for live trading as enough dealers approved by our team are ready.

Is AutoHouseIQ a dealer?

No. AutoHouseIQ is a neutral platform that connects private sellers with dealers approved by our team. It is never the buyer or the seller of a vehicle.

Does AutoHouseIQ buy cars?

No. Dealers approved by our team buy the cars. AutoHouseIQ reviews and approves the dealers, documents each vehicle in a Vehicle Passport, and runs the marketplace where dealers compete.

Who owns the vehicle during the process?

You do, throughout. Nothing about ownership changes while dealers bid. Ownership only transfers if you accept a winning offer and complete the sale directly with the dealer.

How are dealers verified?

Dealers complete a business and license check appropriate to their state and are reviewed by our team before they can bid. Unverified, restricted or suspended dealers cannot bid or count toward an auction.

How does Beat My Offer work?

If you already have an offer from a dealer or buying service, you can share it. If your vehicle is a fit and enough suitable dealers approved by our team are active, they may have the opportunity to compete. This is indicative and subject to verification and dealer demand — AutoHouseIQ never promises to beat an offer.

What is a Vehicle Passport?

A structured record of your vehicle — its identity, ownership, condition and history — that lets dealers value it with confidence. Every field records where it came from, so an estimate is never presented as a verified fact.

Is my information shared?

Your contact details are not shared while dealers bid. They are only released to a dealer once you accept a winning offer and the transaction opens. AutoHouseIQ never sells your data.

When do dealers receive my contact details?

Only after you accept a winning offer and the transaction is opened — never before, and never to dealers who did not win.

What countries are supported?

AutoHouseIQ currently operates in the United States. Its first live marketplace opens in Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas; further regions open for live trading as enough dealers approved by our team are ready, so registering does not mean auctions are live in your area yet. Additional countries may open later.

How are auctions started?

Our team reviews every car before it goes to dealers. Once approved, it is scheduled into a 23-hour auction, and you can see the start and end times in your dashboard. An auction never starts without that review.

What happens after I accept an offer?

The buying dealer will be able to choose an optional pre-transport inspection at your location, with the report going to the dealer. Optional pre-transport inspection with Lemon Squad is planned. Pricing and booking availability will be confirmed before purchase. After the report, the dealer can go ahead at the agreed price or propose a revised price. A dealer can never reduce your payment on their own — a revised price applies only if you agree. What happens if you don’t agree, including any cancellation and costs, will be set out in the final terms before transactions open. We’re working towards payment processing through KeySavvy. Final payment arrangements will be confirmed before transactions open.

What happens if nobody bids or the reserve isn't reached?

There is no sale. You set the reserve, so you are never obliged to sell below it. If the reserve isn't reached, you can relist, adjust or talk through your options with our team.

How does AutoHouseIQ make money?

AutoHouseIQ charges a platform fee to the participating dealer on a successful transaction, as set out in its commercial terms. Sellers are always free — AutoHouseIQ never takes the sale proceeds.

Is AutoHouseIQ legitimate?

Yes. AutoHouseIQ is a real automotive marketplace, currently in a controlled beta onboarding founding sellers and dealers approved by our team across the United States, with its first live marketplace opening in Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas.