MOTOR CARS AUCTIONS

How bidding works

This page explains, in plain English, how to register, how to bid in a timed auction, how to use Buy Now, what you pay, and what happens after you secure a vehicle.

MOTOR CARS AUCTIONS is an online vehicle auction and catalogue — not a traditional high-street dealership showroom. Stock is typically recovered or remarketed (for example finance recovery, bank repossession, or insolvency / enforcement releases). Every lot is sold as described on the listing, subject to our Terms.

You can browse publicly, but placing a bid or completing Buy Now requires a verified account: email confirmed and photo ID plus proof of address approved by our staff. Once that is done, Place bid (and Buy Now where offered) unlocks on eligible lots.

1. Get set up — register and verify (about 5–10 minutes to submit)

UK vehicle auctions usually ask for the same checks: a real account, photo ID, and proof of where you live. MOTOR CARS AUCTIONS follows that pattern so only verified buyers can commit to a purchase. There is no separate registration fee — after staff approve your documents (typically 1–2 working days), you can bid or buy.

Account & buyer type Create your login with a working email and a strong password. Choose whether you buy as a private buyer or a trade buyer, enter your date of birth (you must be 18+), and a mobile number we can reach you on if we need to confirm paperwork or collection. Trade buyers should also add a company name where asked.
Residential address Enter your full postal address exactly as it appears on your proof of address. We use this for invoices and post-sale paperwork, so street, city and postcode must be clear and current.
Photo ID Upload a clear photo or scan of a passport, UK photocard driving licence, or other government photo ID. We need to see your name, photograph and date of birth. Avoid blurry images, cropped edges or glare covering the details.
Proof of address Upload a recent bank / building society statement, utility bill, council tax bill, mortgage statement or tenancy agreement (usually within the last 3 months) showing your name and the same address you entered. PDF or clear photo is fine.
Confirm terms and submit Confirm that bids and Buy Now purchases are legally binding, accept the Terms, Privacy and Cookie policies, then submit. Check your email for a verification link. Staff then review your documents. Place bid unlocks when your email is verified and your identity status is approved.

2. When can I place a bid?

Place bid (and Buy Now on eligible lots) unlocks only when both of these are true:

Email verified — you clicked the link we sent (or an administrator marked your email verified).
Identity approved — staff have accepted your photo ID and proof of address.

You can check progress any time under My account. If something was rejected, upload clearer documents from the identity page and wait for a fresh review. Until both steps are complete, you can still browse the catalogue and auction lots, but you cannot commit to a purchase.

Path A

Bidding in a timed auction

A timed auction is like an online sale room with a countdown clock. Verified buyers place higher and higher offers until time runs out. When the clock reaches zero, the highest valid bid normally wins — subject to any reserve and our Terms.

Open an Auction lot and read the description, photos, mileage, and any condition notes carefully.
Note the current bid (highest accepted so far), the minimum increment (how much higher your next bid must be), and the time left.
Enter an amount at or above the next allowed bid, then confirm. The system will reject amounts that are too low.
Every bid is binding. Only bid if you are ready and able to pay if you win.
If you are outbid, you can bid again while the auction is still live.
On some lots, late bidding near the end can extend the clock slightly (soft close) so last-second “sniping” does not shut others out unfairly.
If you win, you owe the hammer price (your winning bid) plus the buyer's premium shown below, and VAT where it applies.

View auction lots

Path B

Buying at a fixed price (Buy Now)

Prefer not to wait for an auction to finish? Some vehicles can be purchased immediately at a published Buy Now price — no bidding war and no countdown.

Browse the Catalogue or open a listing marked Buy Now / For sale.
Check the published sale price, photos and notes in the same way you would before bidding.
When you are verified, use Buy Now to reserve the vehicle at that fixed price.
You agree to the listed price and then follow the same contract → invoice → payment process as auction winners.
Fees and VAT follow what is shown on the lot and in our Terms (buyer's premium rules are mainly for auction wins unless a lot says otherwise).
Ideal when you have found the right car and want to secure it without competing on the clock.

Browse catalogue

3. Reading a lot page — what the numbers mean

Before you bid or buy, make sure you understand the figures on the lot:

Current bid — the highest valid bid recorded so far on a live auction. If nobody has bid yet, this may show the starting level.
Minimum increment — the smallest step your next bid must rise by (set in pence / pounds on each lot).
Time left — countdown based on our server clock, not your phone’s local time alone. Refresh if you are unsure.
Reserve — some lots may have a hidden minimum the seller will accept. If the auction ends below reserve, there may be no sale (see Terms).
Buy Now price — the fixed price to purchase immediately when that option is enabled.
Guide / listing price — a published indication of value or asking level; always read the sale mode (auction, Buy Now, or both) on that vehicle.

4. Understanding the auction clock

Every live auction shows hours, minutes and seconds remaining. Bids must meet or exceed the next allowed amount — the system will not accept an invalid “jump” that undercuts the rules.

When the auction ends, the highest bidder becomes the winner unless the lot does not meet reserve, is withdrawn, or another Term applies. You will then see the next steps in your account (contract, invoice and payment).

Tip: decide your maximum budget before you start bidding, and remember the buyer's premium is added on top of the hammer price for auction wins.

5. What do I pay if I win an auction?

For a successful auction bid you normally pay:

Hammer price — the amount of your winning bid.
Buyer's premium — currently 10% of the hammer price on auction wins (unless a specific lot says otherwise).
VAT — added where it is due on the invoice.

Simple example (illustrative only): if the hammer is £5,000.00 and the premium is 10%, the premium is £500.00, so the subtotal before any VAT is about £5,500.00. Your invoice will show the exact figures for your lot.

Full fee wording is in our Terms and Conditions. Always check the fees box on the lot page before you commit.

6. After you win or buy — step by step

Securing a vehicle is not the end of the process. You complete paperwork and payment in your account, then arrange collection or delivery as offered for that lot.

Contract We issue the purchase paperwork. Sign it and return / upload it as instructed so the sale can proceed. Do not delay — deadlines may apply on your order.
Invoice You receive an invoice covering the agreed price, the 10% buyer's premium where it applies, and VAT if due. Keep a copy for your records.
Pay by bank transfer Pay using the bank details and reference on your invoice (Open Banking / Crezco may also be offered where enabled). Use a clear payment reference so we can match your funds quickly.
Collection or delivery Once payment is confirmed, arrange collection or delivery as available for that vehicle. Options, addresses and time limits are explained on your order — bring ID if collecting in person.

Good to know before you bid

Bids and Buy Now are commitments. Only bid or buy if you are ready to complete payment and paperwork. Walking away after a win can have consequences under our Terms.
Sold as described / as seen. Recovered and remarketed stock varies. Read photos, notes, mileage and condition carefully before you commit — ask via chat or Contact if anything is unclear.
One account, real details. Use accurate personal information that matches your documents. Fake or mismatched details delay or block approval.
Buyer's premium. On auction wins, 10% is normally added to the hammer price unless a lot says otherwise. Budget for it from the start.
Need a hand? Use live chat when you are signed in, or send a message on the Contact page. Include your account email and the lot / stock ID if you have one — we are happy to explain a listing or your next step.

Ready to get started?

Create your account, upload your documents, wait for approval, then open Auction lots or the Catalogue to find your next vehicle.

Create an account Auction lots Catalogue Contact us