Big money followed historic milestones in 2025. Auction houses worldwide saw record-breaking sales as collectors chased cars that rarely, if ever, come up for sale. Formula 1 legends, Le Mans winners, ultra-limited Ferraris, and one iconic British hypercar all pushed prices into territory once thought impossible.
What stands out isn’t just how high the numbers climbed, but why they did. Each of these cars marks a turning point in automotive or motorsport history. Together, they form the definitive list of the most expensive cars sold at auction in 2025.
1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Streamliner F1 – $53.9M
The top sale of the year belonged to a true motorsport icon. A 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Streamliner Formula 1 car sold for $53,917,370 at an RM Sotheby’s auction held inside the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. That result made it the most expensive Formula 1 car ever sold at auction and the second most expensive car of any kind to change hands publicly.
Photo: Mercedes-Benz AG
This W196R raced during Formula 1’s golden era and was driven by Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss. Mercedes produced only fourteen examples of the W196R, and just ten still exist today. Even more rare is the Streamliner bodywork, fitted to only four cars for high-speed circuits.
The car came from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum collection and was sold to support future development. It marked just the second time a W196R appeared at public auction and only the third instance of a car selling for more than $50 million.
1964 Ferrari 250 LM – $36.4M
One of Ferrari’s most significant race cars secured second place on the list. A 1964 Ferrari 250 LM sold for $36,344,960 at RM Sotheby’s Paris during the 2025 Rétromobile auction, setting a new record for the model and for any Le Mans-winning car.
Photo: Ferrari S.p.A
This particular 250 LM is famous for its outright victory at the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans. That win remains unique, as it is the only time a privately entered Ferrari has taken overall honors at the legendary race.
Its racing history is exceptional even by Ferrari standards. The car competed in six 24-hour endurance races, including three at Le Mans and three at Daytona. Remarkably, it stayed competitive late in its career, finishing seventh overall at the 1970 Daytona 24 Hours before being retired and preserved for decades.
2025 Ferrari Daytona SP3 Tailor Made – $26M
The most expensive new car ever sold at auction also ranked among the most expensive cars of 2025. A Ferrari Daytona SP3 Tailor Made sold for $26 million at RM Sotheby’s Monterey during Pebble Beach week.
Photo: RM Sotheby's
Ferrari donated the car as part of a charity sale, with proceeds going to The Ferrari Foundation. The final price set a record across the board, becoming the highest amount ever paid for a new production car at auction and the biggest sale of Monterey Car Week 2025.
Finished in black with bold yellow accents, the car featured extensive exposed carbon fiber and Giallo Modena details. It was built as the ultra-rare 599 plus one version, making it even more exclusive than the standard Daytona SP3. For comparison, regular Daytona SP3 models typically fetch around $2.3 million before customization.
1994 McLaren F1 – $25.3M
Few cars carry the reputation of the McLaren F1, and in 2025 that reputation led to a huge sale. A 1994 McLaren F1 sold for $25,317,500 at RM Sotheby’s Abu Dhabi, setting records as the most expensive McLaren and the most expensive British car ever sold at public auction.
Photo: RM Sotheby's
This car, known as chassis 014, was one of just sixty-four road-going McLaren F1s produced. It was initially delivered to the Brunei Royal Family and finished in Titanium Yellow with a black interior.
Years later, the car returned to McLaren for a full rebuild. During that process, it received a high-downforce aerodynamic package and was refinished in Ibis White. With extreme rarity, unmatched performance, and worldwide demand, the McLaren F1 remains near the top of the most expensive cars ever sold.
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Competizione – $25.3M
Closing the list is another Ferrari with a serious racing pedigree. A 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Competizione sold for $25,305,000 at the Gooding Christie’s Pebble Beach auction, setting a new model record.
Photo: Gooding Christie’s
This was the highest-priced regular lot sold during the 2025 Monterey and Pebble Beach auctions and the most expensive car ever sold by Gooding Christie’s.
Ferrari built just fifty-six SWB California Spiders total. Only three were made with lightweight aluminum bodies, and only two were built to full competition specs. This car is one of those two.
It was actively raced when new, competing in hill climbs and circuit events across Germany and Austria. That rarity, combined with open-top Ferrari design and documented competition use, helped push it past the $25 million mark.
