How auctions work

After a Seller completes our enquiry form, we'll get in touch to discuss the car and the Seller's needs. We carefully select cars for Auction and work closely with Sellers to develop a listing that represents their car as accurately as possible by using professional photography and detailed descriptions.

  1. Step 1

    Register to bid

    Create a free account quickly and easily. Add your card details to be able to place a bid.

  2. Step 2

    View our auction listings

    Take your time to conduct research, contact the seller, and arrange a viewing before bidding. But don't take too much time - auctions last 7 days unless otherwise stated.

  3. Step 3

    Place a bid and win the auction

    When you're ready, place a bid. Keep an eye on the listing, and increase your bid to ensure that you win!

  4. Step 4

    Collect your new vehicle

    After the auction ends, we will put you in touch with the seller to finalise the sale. You'll coordinate with them directly to make payment and collect your new vehicle.

Ready to bid?

View live auctions

Why use PistonHeads Auctions

  • Exclusivity

    We provide access to a wide selection of curated, unique cars.

  • Transparency

    We always show complete information about the car, and leverage our expertise to determine its worth.

  • Assurance

    We leverage the expertise of our community of car enthusiasts to provide an unbiased opinion.

How Bidding Works

  1. Registration

    • You must register and add your card details to place bids on PistonHeads.

  2. Minimum Bid

    • The bid box will indicate the minimum required bid amount.
    • All bids are binding and are subject to a buyer's fee.

  3. Automated Bidding

    • Enter your maximum bid for a vehicle.
    • Our bidding platform will automatically bid on your behalf in fixed increments.
    • Bidding continues until you are either the highest bidder or your maximum bid has been reached.

  4. Sniping Protection

    • Sniping protection extends the auction clock by two minutes each time a bid is placed in the auction's final moments.
    • The auction continues until two full minutes have elapsed since the highest bid was placed.

  5. Due Diligence

    • We encourage all potential bidders to read the listing and review the entirety of the listing and comment section before placing a bid.
    • It is important that bidders carry out their due diligence to understand all the details of the car and insights offered by members of the community.

How to Make an Offer

  1. Registration

    • You must register and add your card details to make an offer on PistonHeads.

  2. Make an Offer

    • Make an offer to the Seller based on what you think the car is worth.
    • Offers can only be made while an Auction is in "Coming Soon", up to 48 hours before the Auction is set to begin.
    • All offers are valid for 2 business days after the offer has been made.
    • All offers are subject to our non-refundable buyer's fee of 6% + VAT (with a minimum of £295 + VAT and up to a maximum of £5,000 + VAT).
    • You can make as many offers as you like; however, your highest offer will supersede any other offers that you have made.

  3. Seller Decides

    • All offers that meet the Seller's minimum threshold will go to our Consignment team and are then presented to the Seller.
    • The minimum threshold is determined by the Seller in advance of the Auction; we will not accept offers below this amount.
    • The Seller will then choose to accept or reject your offer.
    • Once a Seller has made a decision on your offer, you will get an email with the result.
    • All decisions will be made and communicated within 2 business days.

  4. Stopping the Auction

    • If the Seller chooses to accept an offer, the vehicle will be considered sold and there will be no Auction.
    • If you are the winning buyer, you will be required to pay the non-refundable buyer's fee of 6% + VAT (with a minimum of £295 + VAT and up to a maximum of £5,000 + VAT).
    • Once you have made your payment to PistonHeads, you will receive an email with instructions on how to contact the Seller for payment and car collection.
    • If your offer is rejected, don't worry. You'll still be able to place a new offer up to 48 hours before the Auction is set to begin.
    • If the Seller does not accept any of the offers they receive, the Auction will begin on the date listed.

Make an offer

All "Coming Soon" auctions are eligible for offers. Try your luck 'now!

Coming soon auctions

Finance your Auction Purchase

Car finance over £30k

Can I get pre-approval with Charles & Dean for finance?

  • Yes, you can obtain pre-approval for a pre-agreed amount, allowing you to bid with confidence.Your approval will be valid for 90 days, giving you ample time to find the perfect vehicle at auction.
  • Pre-approval is highly recommended as it eliminates delays once the auction ends, ensuring you can collect your new car sooner.

If you have arranged finance with Charles & Dean before the auction:

  • If you've received credit pre-approval from Charles & Dean before the auction, please contact their team to proceed.
  • They will organise the payout for your auction win, ensuring funds are released in time for you to collect your new car.

If you haven't arranged finance with Charles & Dean before the auction:

  • After winning a bid, PistonHeads will connect you with the seller. For finance, call Charles & Dean at 01780 763836.
  • Their Finance Specialists will guide you through the no-obligation credit approval and documentation process.
  • Once completed, funds will be released for you to collect your new car.

After an Auction Ends

Reserve Met or No Reserve

  • Once an Auction ends, the winner will be notified and their credit card will be charged the applicable Buyer's fee.
  • After the payment has been made, we run a background check to verify the Buyer's identity and then proceed to introduce the Buyer and Seller via email.
  • They work together to complete the sale and arrange shipping if needed.
  • Buyers handle shipping, taxes, registration fees, and other costs.
  • Customer Service is available for help.

Reserve Not Met

  • If the reserve isn't met, our consignment team will collate highest offers from interested parties to present to the seller. If you would like to make or increase an offer, please email us at auctions@pistonheads.com with your highest offer. The seller will then decide if they accept an offer to close a sale on their car.

Payment

  • After the auction, your card will be charged a non-refundable buyer's fee of 6% + VAT (minimum £295 + VAT, maximum £5,000 + VAT).
  • You'll get an email with instructions to contact the seller for payment and car collection.
  • Not paying the buyer's fee or completing the transaction violates the Auction Terms and Conditions and may lead to removal from the site.

Buy It Now

  • If the reserve isn't met, sellers can convert their listing to a 'Buy it Now' for free, setting a fixed price for up to 30 days.

Collection and Payment

  • Aim to collect the vehicle and pay the seller within 7 days of winning.
  • If using the Concierge Service, collect the vehicle within 7 days to avoid storage costs.

How the Reserve Price Works

The reserve price is the minimum amount a seller is willing to accept for a vehicle at auction. Here's how it works on PistonHeads:

Reserve Disclosure

  • The reserve price is not disclosed on the PistonHeads site. However, once the reserve is close to being met or has been met, it will be indicated on the auction listing. Listings with no reserve are clearly marked.

Bidding Process

  • If your maximum bid is the first to meet or exceed the reserve, our system will use the reserve amount as your first bid.
  • Otherwise, your first bid will be one increment above the current bid.
  • Our system will automatically increase your bid in fixed increments until you are either the highest bidder or your maximum bid has been reached.
  • You will receive an email if someone outbids your maximum bid, allowing you to increase your maximum bid to stay in the lead.

Lowering the Reserve

  • Sellers can lower the reserve at any time by sending a written email request to PistonHeads.

End of Auction

  • If the reserve is not met by the end of the auction, the seller reserves the right to accept the next highest bid.

Binding Bids

  • All bids are binding. You may still win the auction even if the reserve is not met.

Buyer and Seller Fees

Buyer's Fees

  • If you win the auction, you will be charged a non-refundable buyer's fee of 6% + VAT on top of the winning bid.
  • The fee has a minimum of £295 + VAT and a maximum of £5,000 + VAT.
  • All bids are binding and cannot be cancelled.
  • Failure to pay the buyer's fee or complete the transaction violates the Auction Terms and Conditions. PistonHeads reserves the right to remove you from the site in such cases.

Example Buyer's Fee Calculation:

  • Selling Price: £8,000
  • Buyer's Fee: 6% of £8,000 + VAT
    • 6% of £8000 = £480
    • VAT (20%) on £480 = £96
  • Total Buyer's Fee: £480 + £96 = £576

Seller's Fees

  • It's free to list your vehicle with our standard service, whether or not it sells.
  • PistonHeads provides support for the listing process; this may include marketing and promotion on our social media channels, email newsletters and featured news articles.

Concierge Service

  • Sellers can opt for the concierge service for £500 + VAT.
  • This service covers cleaning, viewings, storage, and sale administration.
  • Even if the vehicle doesn't sell, the fee is still applicable.
  • Additional fees may apply for transport logistics, extended storage, inspections, or minor repairs, as agreed upon.

Common questions answered

    • We use an automated bidding system to make things easy for you! Simply enter the maximum amount you are willing to pay for a vehicle. Our bidding platform will automatically bid on your behalf in fixed increments until you are either the highest bidder or your maximum bid has been reached.

    • If the auction has a reserve, and your maximum bid is the first to meet or exceed the reserve, our bidding platform will use the reserve amount as your first bid. Otherwise, our bidding platform will always place your first bid at one increment above the current bid. Our bidding platform will then increase your bid in fixed increments until you are either the highest bidder or your maximum bid has been reached. If someone outbids your maximum bid, you’ll receive an email to notify you, so that you can increase your maximum bid and stay in the lead.

    • If you win the auction, you will be charged a 6% + VAT non-refundable buyer’s fee on top of the winning bid, with a minimum of £295 + VAT, up to a maximum of £5,000 + VAT. Keep in mind that all bids are binding and cannot be cancelled. If you fail to pay the Buyer's fee or complete the transaction, you will be in violation of the Auction Terms and Conditions and PistonHeads reserves the right to remove you from the site.

    • ‘Make an Offer’ gives interested buyers an opportunity to offer the Seller the amount they are willing to pay for the vehicle, before the Auction begins. All offers that meet the Seller’s minimum threshold will go to our Consignment team and are then presented to the Seller. If the offer is accepted by the Seller, the vehicle will be considered sold and there will be no Auction.

    • All offers made on a vehicle are binding for up to 2 business days and are subject to our non-refundable buyer’s fee of 6% + VAT (with a minimum of £295 + VAT and up to a maximum of £5,000 + VAT) upon the Seller accepting the offer.

    • If you fail to pay the Buyer's fee or complete the transaction, you will be in violation of the Auction Terms and Conditions and PistonHeads reserves the right to remove you from the site.

    • The non-refundable buyer’s fee is 6% of the selling price + VAT, with a minimum of £295 + VAT, up to a maximum of £5,000 + VAT. Keep in mind that all bids and offers are binding and cannot be cancelled.

      If you fail to pay the Buyer's fee or complete the transaction, you will be in violation of the Auction Terms and Conditions and PistonHeads reserves the right to remove you from the site.

    • Concierge service is a premium service for sellers where we handle cleaning, viewings, storage and sale administration. Buyers can visit the relevant concierge partner for viewings instead of making arrangements with the seller.

    • As part of the consignment process, a member of the PistonHeads team will speak with each seller to get a description of the vehicle. Any seller that we have deemed to have misrepresented their vehicle is banned from the site. We take our reputation seriously and hold our buyers and sellers to high standards.

    • We strongly encourage you to view and inspect the vehicle in person before placing a bid. 

    • To arrange a viewing with the seller, simply click on the Q&A section of the listing to be taken to the corresponding forum thread. You’ll then be able to click on the Seller’s profile and send them a direct message with your request. Bidders should aim to only use direct messages to arrange viewings. 

    • If you are unable to view the vehicle during the auction, we encourage you to use the Q&A forum thread to ask for more information.

    • If the seller is using the concierge service, you can arrange a viewing by contacting our concierge service provider directly. If you are unable to visit the vehicle in person during the concierge service providers regular business hours, as indicated on the auction listing, you can view the walkaround video posted in the Q&A thread.

More auction FAQs