Auction Search

Search nationwide auction listings with comprehensive filtering, sorting, analytics, and geographic targeting capabilities.

The Auction Search API provides access to automotive auction listings across the United States market. MarketCheck aggregates current auction inventory data from major auction houses and online platforms, delivering access to over 1.2 million auction listings with approximately 498,000 unique vehicles.

Overview

This endpoint shares the same interface and functionality as the Inventory Search API, allowing you to search, filter, and analyze auction vehicle listings with extensive capabilities.

  • Data updates are published daily, at the same time as the Inventory Search API, by 11:00 AM UTC
  • Follows same interface conventions, so units and conventions are also consistent with the Inventory Search API

Key Differences from Inventory Search API:

  • Auction Listings Only: This API exclusively returns listings from auction sources, not dealer or private party listings. So seller_type is always auction
  • US Market Only: Currently only supports US auction data, with no Canadian listings available
  • Higher Pricing Tier: Auction API is billed at a premium due to unique sourcing and processing overhead

Base Path

GET https://api.marketcheck.com/v2/search/car/auction/active

The following example demonstrates a basic search request with common parameters:

request.js
import axios from 'axios';

const options = {
method: 'GET',
url: 'https://api.marketcheck.com/v2/search/car/auction/active',
params: {
api_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY',
year: '2023',
make: 'toyota',
model: 'camry',
rows: '2'
},
headers: {Accept: 'application/json'}
};

try {
const { data } = await axios.request(options);
console.log(data);
} catch (error) {
console.error(error);
}

Explore the full range of parameters available for filtering, sorting, and configuring search results in the Request section below.

Request

The Auction Search API provides extensive filtering and search capabilities for automotive auction listings. You can search by vehicle specifications, geographic location, pricing ranges, auction houses, and numerous other criteria to find the exact auction vehicles you need.

All filtering, sorting, analytics, and pagination capabilities match those in the Inventory Search API, providing a consistent interface across dealer, auction, and private party listings.

Parameters

Available parameters for filtering, sorting, and configuring search results:

105 Params
api_key
string required

Your MarketCheck API authentication key. Required for every request, unless OAuth is used.

append_api_key
boolean

If true, the response URLs (such as cached images & relevant links) include the api_key query parameter along with value; if false, they do not. Default — true.

base_ext_color
string

The base exterior color to filter results by (e.g. White, Black, Blue, Silver, Red). Accepts multiple colors as a comma-separated list.

base_int_color
string

The base interior color to filter results by (e.g. Black, Brown, Beige, Red). Accepts multiple colors as a comma-separated list.

body_subtype
string

Filters listings by body subtype (e.g., Crew, Extended, Regular, Extended Crew). Accepts multiple values separated by commas.

body_type
string

Filters listings by body type (e.g., SUV, Pickup, Sedan, Hatchback, Convertible). Accepts multiple values separated by commas.

car_type
string

Filters listings by inventory type. Allowed values - new, used, certified.

carfax_1_owner
boolean

If true, returns only vehicles with a single previous owner; if false or omitted, no ownership filter is applied. Default — false.

carfax_clean_title
boolean

If true, returns only vehicles with a clean title history; if false or omitted, no title filter is applied. Default — false.

city
string

Filters listings by city name (e.g. Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston).

city_mpg_range
string

Filters listings by city fuel-economy mileage. Specify as min-max MPG (e.g., 20-35).

country
string

Filters listings by country code. Allowed values - us, ca, all. Default — us.

cylinders
string

Filters listings by engine cylinder count (e.g., 4, 6, 8). Accepts multiple values as a comma-separated list.

dedup
boolean

If true, returns only is_searchable listings irrespective of dealer_id, mc_website_id, or source. Default — false. See nodedup for the opposite behavior.

dom_180_range
string

Filters listings by Days on Market observed over the last 180 days. Specify as min-max days (e.g., 10-50).

dom_active_range
string

Filters listings by active Days on Market (DOM). Specify as min-max days.

dom_range
string

Filters listings by total Days on Market (DOM). Specify as min-max days.

doors
string

Filters listings by number of doors (e.g., 2, 4). Accepts multiple values as comma-separated list.

dos_active_range
string

Filters listings by active Days on Site (DOS). Specify as min-max days.

drivetrain
string

Filters listings by drivetrain (FWD, RWD, 4WD). Accepts multiple values separated by commas.

engine
string

Filters listings by engine designation (e.g., 2.0L I4, 3.5L V6, 2.5L H4). Accepts multiple values as comma-separated list.

engine_aspiration
string

Filters listings by engine aspiration (Turbocharged, Naturally Aspirated, etc.). Accepts multiple values separated by commas.

engine_block
string

Filters listings by engine block layout (V, I, H). Accepts multiple values separated by commas.

engine_size
string

Filters listings by engine displacement size (e.g., 2.0, 2.5, 3.5). Accepts multiple values separated by commas.

engine_size_range
string

Filters listings by engine displacement size. Specify as min-max liters (e.g., 1.5-3.0).

exclude_certified
boolean

If true, excludes certified-pre-owned vehicles from results. Default — false. See car_type parameter for filtering by inventory type for certified vehicles.

exclude_dealer_ids
string

Excludes results from the specified dealer IDs. Accepts multiple values as a comma-separated list.

exclude_high_value_features
string

Excludes listings that contain any of the specified High-Value Features (HVFs). Accepts comma-separated HVFs.

exclude_make
string

Excludes the specified makes. Accepts multiple values as a comma-separated list.

exclude_mc_website_ids
string

Excludes results from the specified MarketCheck website IDs. Accepts multiple values as comma-separated list.

exclude_options_packages
string

Excludes listings containing the specified Options Packages (OPs). Accepts multiple values as comma-separated list.

exclude_sources
string

Excludes listings from the specified sources (e.g., autonation.com, carmax.com). Accepts multiple values as comma-separated list.

exterior_color
string

Filters listings by exterior color (e.g. White, Summit White, Gun Metallic). Accepts multiple values as comma-separated list.

facet_sort
string

Sorts facet buckets. Allowed values — count (descending count, default) or index (alphabetical).

facets
string

Field name to return bucket facets for. Accepts multiple fields as a comma-separated list.

finance_down_payment
string

Filters listings by finance down-payment amount in USD. Specify a single value or a min-max range.

finance_down_payment_per
string

Filters listings by finance down-payment percentage. Specify a single value or min-max.

finance_emp
string

Filters listings by finance Estimated Monthly Payment (EMP) in USD. Specify a single value or min-max.

finance_loan_apr
string

Filters listings by finance loan APR. Specify a single value or min-max.

finance_loan_term
string

Filters listings by finance loan term in months. Specify a single value or min-max months.

first_seen_at_mc_days
string

Filters listings by the number of days since they were first seen by MarketCheck. Specify as min-max days. Alternative of first_seen_at_mc_range.

first_seen_at_mc_range
string

Filters listings by the date they were first seen by MarketCheck. Specify as YYYYMMDD-YYYYMMDD (e.g., 20220523-20220631). Alternative of first_seen_at_mc_days.

first_seen_at_source_days
string

Filters listings by the number of days since first seen on the source site. Specify as min-max days. Alternative of first_seen_at_source_range.

first_seen_at_source_range
string

Filters listings by date first seen on the source site. Specify as YYYYMMDD-YYYYMMDD. Alternative of first_seen_at_source_days.

first_seen_days
string

Filters listings by the number of days since they were first seen in MarketCheck inventory. Specify as min-max days. Alternative of first_seen_range.

first_seen_range
string

Filters listings by the first seen date. Specify as YYYYMMDD-YYYYMMDD (e.g., 20220523-20220631). Alternative of first_seen_days.

fuel_type
string

Filters listings by fuel type (e.g., Unleaded, Diesel, Electric, Premium Unleaded, Electric / Unleaded). Accepts multiple values separated by commas.

high_value_features
string

Filters listings that include all specified High-Value Features (HVFs). Provide HVFs as a comma-separated list.

highway_mpg_range
string

Filters listings by highway fuel-economy mileage. Specify as min-max MPG (e.g., 25-40).

in_transit
boolean

If true, returns listings marked as in transit; if false or omitted, no in-transit filter is applied.

include_finance
boolean

If true, only listings with finance offers are returned. Default — false.

include_lease
boolean

If true, only listings with lease offers are returned. Default — false.

include_non_vin_listings
boolean

If true, includes listings without a VIN; if false, such listings are excluded. Default — false.

include_relevant_links
boolean

If true, includes relevant links to other MarketCheck API endpoints in the response. Default — false.

interior_color
string

Filters listings by interior color. Accepts multiple values as comma-separated list.

inventory_count_range
string

Filters dealers by total listing count. Specify as min-max listings (e.g., 10-100).

last_seen_days
string

Filters listings by the number of days since last seen. Specify as min-max days. Alternative of last_seen_at_range.

last_seen_range
string

Filters listings by last seen date. Specify as YYYYMMDD-YYYYMMDD (e.g., 20220523-20220631). Alternative of last_seen_at_days.

latitude
float

Latitude component of the search location (decimal degrees). Used for geospatial queries along with longitude and radius parameters.

lease_down_payment
string

Filters listings by lease down-payment amount in USD. Specify a single value or min-max.

lease_emp
string

Filters listings by lease Estimated Monthly Payment (EMP) in USD. Specify a single value or min-max.

lease_term
string

Filters listings by lease term length in months. Specify a single value or min-max.

longitude
float

Longitude component of the search location (decimal degrees). Used for geospatial queries along with latitude and radius parameters.

make
string

Filters listings by vehicle make (e.g., Toyota, Ford, Mercedes-Benz). Accepts multiple values as comma-separated list.

match
string

Comma-separated list of field names for exact matching in combination with vins. Allowed values — year,make,model or year,make,model,trim.

miles_range
string

Filters listings by odometer reading. Specify as min-max miles (e.g., 1000-50000).

min_photo_links
integer

Filters listings with at least the specified number of photo links (e.g. 3, 8).

min_photo_links_cached
integer

Filters listings with at least the specified number of cached photo links (e.g. 3, 8).

mm
string

Make-Model composite string from the auto-complete API. Pass the value exactly as returned (e.g., toyota|camry).

model
string

Filters listings by specific vehicle model (e.g., Camry). Accepts multiple values separated by commas.

msa_code
string

Filters listings by Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) code.

msrp_range
string

Filters listings by Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). Specify as min-max USD (e.g., 20000-45000).

nodedup
boolean

If true, returns all duplicate listings for a VIN; if false (default), duplicate listings are removed. This is the opposite of dedup.

options_packages
string

Filters listings by Options Packages (OPs). Provide a comma-separated list; results include listings containing all specified OPs.

owned
boolean

When used with dealer_id, mc_website_id, or source, true returns listings actually owned by that dealer. Default — false.

photo_links
boolean

If true, returns only listings that contain at least one photo link. Default — false.

photo_links_cached
boolean

If true, returns only listings that contain cached photo links. Default — false.

plot
boolean

If true, returns up to 1000 listings for plotting instead of full listing details.

powertrain_type
string

Filters listings by powertrain type (e.g., Combustion, BEV, HEV, MHEV, PHEV). Accepts multiple values separated by commas.

price_change
string

Filters listings by positive or negative price-change flag (e.g., positive, negative). Accepts multiple comma-separated values.

price_change_range
string

Filters listings by the price change in USD. Since price changes can be positive or negative, specify as min|max (e.g., -5000|1000). This is a range filter.

price_range
string

Filters listings by advertised price in USD. Specify as min-max (e.g., 1000-50000).

radius
integer

Search radius around the specified location in miles. Used with zip or latitude and longitude for geospatial queries.

range_facets
string

Comma-separated list of numeric field names for which to return range facets in the response.

rows
integer

Number of results to return per request. Default — 10. Maximum — 50.

seating_capacity
string

Filters listings by seating capacity (e.g., 2, 5, 7). Accepts multiple values separated by commas.

sort_by
string

Field to sort results by. If omitted, defaults to distance when a location filter is used.

sort_order
string

Specifies result sort order. Allowed values — asc or desc. Default — asc.

start
integer

Pagination offset (0-based). Default — 0. Maximum page is limited to 10,000/rows.

state
string

Filters listings by US or Canadian state/province code (e.g., CA, NY, ON). Accepts multiple codes separated by commas.

stats
string

Comma-separated list of numeric fields for which to return aggregate statistics (mean, max, min, count).

stock_no
string

Filters listings by dealer stock number.

taxonomy_vins
string

Comma-separated list of 10-character “squish” VINs (first 8 + 10th & 11th chars). Filters listings by build.

transmission
string

Filters listings by transmission type (Automatic, Manual, etc.). Accepts multiple values separated by commas.

trim
string

Filters listings by vehicle trim (e.g., EX, Limited). Accepts multiple values separated by commas.

vdp_url
string

Filters listings by Vehicle Detail Page (VDP) URL match.

vehicle_type
string

Filters listings by vehicle type (Truck, Car). Accepts multiple values separated by commas.

version
string

Filters listings by vehicle version name.

vin
string

Filters listings by full 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

vins
string

The VINs to find similar cars around. Accepts a comma-separated list of VINs. Used in conjunction with the match parameter always. Similar parameters are ymmt and taxonomy_vins.

year
string

Filters listings by model year (e.g., 2020). Accepts multiple years separated by commas.

year_range
string

Filters listings by model year range. Specify as min-max (e.g., 2015-2025).

ymm
string

Year-Make-Model composite string from auto-completion (e.g., 2019|Toyota|Camry).

ymmt
string

Year-Make-Model-Trim composite string(s). Each combo uses pipe separators and combinations can be comma-separated. For example, 2019|Toyota|Camry|LE,2020|Honda|Civic|EX. Useful for finding multiple groups of similar cars. Alternatively, you can use vins or taxonomy_vins for VIN-based queries.

zip
string

Filters listings within the specified 5-digit ZIP code.

Pagination

Auction Search API supports the same pagination capabilities as the Inventory Search API. API response includes num_found property indicating the total number of listings matching the search criteria.

Parameters:

  • start - Offset from which listings are returned (starts at 0)
  • rows - Number of listings per page (maximum 50, default 10)

Refer to the Inventory Search API pagination documentation for complete details and examples.

Sorting

The Auction Search API supports sorting results by a single numeric or date field at a time, with the same functionality as the Inventory Search API.

Sort Parameters:

  • sort_by - Field name to sort by
  • sort_order - Sort direction (asc or desc)

Refer to the Inventory Search API sorting documentation for complete field reference and examples.

Core Features & Functionality

Auction Search supports all major features from the Inventory Search API with identical functionality:

  • Facets - Build dynamic filters and analyze market distribution
  • Range Facets - Statistical distribution for numeric fields
  • Stats - Comprehensive market analytics
  • Spatial Search - Location-based discovery

Response Schema

The response schema for Auction Search is identical to the Inventory Search API, providing a consistent structure for results. Refer to the Inventory Search API response schema for complete field definitions and examples.

Use Cases & Examples

Wholesale Price Discovery

Search for auction vehicles to analyze wholesale pricing trends, identify undervalued vehicles, and discover potential resale opportunities.

Example:

Here we're searching for auction vehicles with stats around wholesale pricing, filtering by make and model

request.js
import axios from 'axios';

const options = {
method: 'GET',
url: 'https://api.marketcheck.com/v2/search/car/auction/active',
params: {
api_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY',
make: 'bmw',
model: 'x5',
stats: 'price,miles',
rows: '2'
},
headers: {Accept: 'application/json'}
};

try {
const { data } = await axios.request(options);
console.log(data);
} catch (error) {
console.error(error);
}

Time-Sensitive Auction Alerts

Find auction vehicles that are newly listed or have recently changed price, allowing you to act quickly on time-sensitive opportunities.

Example:

Here we're filtering for auction vehicles that have been listed in the last 7 days and sorting by the most recent listings:

request.js
import axios from 'axios';

const options = {
method: 'GET',
url: 'https://api.marketcheck.com/v2/search/car/auction/active',
params: {
api_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY',
dos_active_range: '*-7',
sort_by: 'first_seen',
sort_order: 'desc',
rows: '2'
},
headers: {Accept: 'application/json'}
};

try {
const { data } = await axios.request(options);
console.log(data);
} catch (error) {
console.error(error);
}

High-Value Vehicle Tracking

Track high-value or specialty vehicles entering auction markets, useful for collectors, dealers specializing in luxury vehicles, or investment tracking.

Example:

Here we're searching for luxury vehicles above $100,000 with comprehensive vehicle photos:

request.js
import axios from 'axios';

const options = {
method: 'GET',
url: 'https://api.marketcheck.com/v2/search/car/auction/active',
params: {
api_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY',
price_range: '100000-*',
min_photo_links: '8',
make: 'porsche,ferrari,lamborghini,mclaren',
sort_by: 'price',
sort_order: 'desc',
rows: '2'
},
headers: {Accept: 'application/json'}
};

try {
const { data } = await axios.request(options);
console.log(data);
} catch (error) {
console.error(error);
}

Market Trend Analysis

Analyze auction market trends using stats and facets to understand pricing patterns, popular vehicle types, and regional auction activity.

Example:

Here we're analyzing auction market trends for a specific make using statistical aggregations:

request.js
import axios from 'axios';

const options = {
method: 'GET',
url: 'https://api.marketcheck.com/v2/search/car/auction/active',
params: {
api_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY',
make: 'ford',
stats: 'price,miles,dom_active',
facets: 'model,body_type,year',
rows: '0'
},
headers: {Accept: 'application/json'}
};

try {
const { data } = await axios.request(options);
console.log(data);
} catch (error) {
console.error(error);
}

See Also