The 10 most expensive cars sold at auction in 2025
For the second year in a row, online car auction sales have surpassed those of conventional auctions, reaching approximately US$2.5 billion according to a report by Hagerty, a company specializing in insurance. This is a record.
In addition, cars that sold for at least US$1 million collectively exceeded US$1 billion, which is a first. Their average price was US$3 million, another record.
Hagerty also tells us that these million-dollar-plus cars dated back to 1984 on average. Note that they were considerably older five years ago, with an average year of 1972.
The top 10 of 2025
A compilation of the cars that sold for the highest prices at auction around the world in 2025 shows us that the top 10 come exclusively from traditional auctions. Without further ado, here are the results (prices in US dollars):
- 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R – $53 million
- 1964 Ferrari 250 LM – $35.9 million
- 2025 Ferrari Daytona SP3 – $26 million (charity)
- 1995 McLaren F1 – $25.3 million
- 1961 Ferrari 250 California – $25.3 million
- 2026 Gordon Murray Special Vehicles S1 LM – $20.6 million
- 2001 Ferrari F2001 – $18.2 million
- 1966 Ford GT40 – $13.2 million
- 2026 McLaren MCL40A – $11.5 million (2026 F1 car, to be delivered in 2028)
- 1993 Ferrari F40 LM – $11 million
As an indication, the most expensive car sold through an online platform in 2025 was a 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari, which fetched $4.48 million on the Bring a Trailer auction site.
When it comes to customers who buy these vehicles and insure them, Hagerty makes an interesting observation. Although smaller in number, Generation X has maintained a stable market share of 34% over the past five years, while baby boomers have tended to fall below 30%. However, in 2025, baby boomers are back and more active than ever, now holding the largest market share at 36%.
This leads John Wiley, director of valuation data at Hagerty, to say: “If you own a car from the 1950s, now may be a good time to sell it. On the other hand, if you have a 1970s SUV or an imported Japanese car, it might be better to hold on to it a little longer.”
