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Want to sell your car at auction? Here鈥檚 everything you need to know to make the process easy.

Looking to sell your car at auction but not sure where to start? Whether you鈥檙e wondering 鈥渃an I sell my car at auction?鈥� or asking yourself 鈥渉ow do I sell my car at auction鈥�, this guide will walk you through the process and help you get the best deal.

Did you know you can sell your car right here on 莲花直播? We鈥檙e here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

Can I sell my car at auction?

Generally yes, you should be able to sell your car at auction.

To enter a car in an auction as a private seller, you must be the registered owner. You should also check whether there is an auction near you that accepts private sales, as some only work with trade customers who are VAT registered. When taking your car to the auction, remember to bring the V5C document, service history, and all keys.

Auctions can seem daunting or unfamiliar, but they may be worth considering if you need to sell your car quickly and if there is a convenient auction centre near you.

When choosing an auction, make sure to ask about the fees they charge, as these can vary.

How to sell my car at auction: step-by-step

Car auctions are a popular way for traders and private sellers to buy and sell cars. To sell your car at auction, follow these steps:

1. Find an auction house

Start by finding an auction house you鈥檙e comfortable selling with. A quick online search should help you locate one in your area.

2. Take the car in for a valuation

Arrange for your car to be inspected and valued by the auction house. This is non-binding 鈥� the auctioneer will give you an estimated price, and you can decide whether you鈥檇 like to go ahead based on the valuation.

3. Set a reserve

Once your car has been valued, decide on a minimum price you鈥檙e willing to accept. If bidding doesn鈥檛 reach this amount, your car won鈥檛 be sold and any bids are void. But bear in mind that you may still have to pay fees.

4. Let the auction house handle the details

The auction house typically takes care of the rest: photographing your car, creating a lot description, and scheduling the auction.

From there, you鈥檙e at the mercy of the bidding wars. Auctions can be live events, either in person at an auction centre or online. Buyers compete until the highest bidder wins the car. You鈥檒l usually pay an upfront fee to list your car, and if it sells, the auction house will take a commission 鈥� often 10% or more.

While fees may seem daunting, remember the auction house benefits from getting the best price for your car. The higher it sells for, the better for both you and the auctioneer. This could mean you walk away with more money than expected.

5. Take payment

Once your car sells and the buyer has paid, the auction house will send you your money, minus any fees. At this point, you鈥檒l need to hand over the V5C logbook and, if you have it, the service history. It usually takes a day or two for the payment to come through.

Pros and cons of selling a car at auction

Pros of selling a car at auction

• Can be a quick way of selling your car.
• The leg work is often done by auction houses.
• Minimises risk of time wasters who say they are coming to buy your car, but don鈥檛.

Cons of selling a car at auction

• Your car isn鈥檛 guaranteed to sell.
• There may be a limited number of potential buyers present.
• You鈥檒l likely pay extra fees.

Where can I find car auctions near me?

The easiest way to find a car auction near you is to search on Yell or Google. These will usually give you a list of local auction houses, their websites, and contact details. Many auction houses also list their upcoming sales online or on their social media pages, so it鈥檚 worth checking those regularly. If in doubt, a quick call will clear things up.

Keep in mind, however, that some larger auction firms (such as British Car Auctions) have recently restricted access to trade dealers only, so private buyers or sellers may not be allowed. However, options such as Manheim, Copart, and smaller independent houses may still offer services for private individuals, especially if you鈥檙e nearby or flexible

Is it worth selling a car at auction?

Selling your car at auction can be a good move if you want a quick sale, the chance of a higher price from competitive bidding, and the convenience of letting the auction house do most of the work. That said, it鈥檚 not always the best route for everyday cars, which might fetch less than a private sale. There鈥檚 also no guarantee your car will sell or hit the price you鈥檙e hoping for.

How much do cars sell at auction?

There鈥檚 no set price for cars at auction as it really comes down to the car itself and how much the buyers in the room (or online) are willing to pay on the day. Sometimes you might get lucky and spark a bidding war, while other times interest can be flat and the car might sell for less than you鈥檇 hoped.

Elements such as timing and competition also play a part. For example, if a car similar to yours is being sold at the same auction, buyer interest could be split. On the flip side, rare or highly desirable cars often perform well at auction and can even fetch more than in a private sale.

For more common models, though, you may find they sell more easily (and for a stronger price) through private sales.

Don鈥檛 forget that auction houses usually take a cut of the final price, which is often around 10% or more, so factor that into what you expect to make.

Selling my car at auction FAQs

Can you just turn up to a car auction?

In most cases, yes, you can turn up to a public car auction. But if you want to bid, you鈥檒l usually need to register first (either on the day or online) and show proof of ID. Be aware that not all auctions are open to the public; some are strictly for registered trade dealers only.

If you鈥檙e looking to sell a car, most auction houses will ask you to register as a seller in advance and bring documents such as the V5C, service history, and spare keys.

If you鈥檙e new to auctions, it鈥檚 a good idea to attend a couple just to watch how things work before jumping in to buy or sell.

Is it a good idea to sell at auction?

Yes, it can be, but it really depends on your situation. Auctions are great if you want a quick, hassle-free sale and there鈥檚 always the chance a bidding war pushes the price up, especially if your car is rare or in high demand. On the flip side, it鈥檚 a bit of a gamble: your car might sell for less than you鈥檇 get privately, you don鈥檛 have much control over the final price, and auction fees will eat into your profit.

How much does it cost to sell at auction?

Selling at auction isn鈥檛 free as most auction houses charge a mix of fees. You鈥檒l usually pay an entry or listing fee just to put your car in the sale, plus a commission (a percentage of whatever it sells for). On top of that, there might be extras such as VAT, storage fees if your car doesn鈥檛 sell right away, and transport costs to get it to the auction.

Auction fees aren鈥檛 the same everywhere. They can vary a lot between auction houses, so it鈥檚 always worth checking with a few before deciding where to sell. That way, you know exactly what you鈥檒l be paying and can choose the option that leaves you with the most money in your pocket.

Do cars sell for more at auction?

Not always. It really depends on the car and the auction itself. Rare or desirable models can do well because buyers compete and push the price up, but more common cars often go for less than you鈥檇 get selling privately. If you鈥檝e got a fairly standard car, you might be better off with a private sale or a car buying service such as 莲花直播. But if you want a quick, hassle-free option, and especially if your car鈥檚 a bit unique, an auction can still be a good way to sell.

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