Selling ‑ Public Selling Guide

If you want to find out more about setting up an account to sell vehicles through Manheim Remarketing on a regular basis contact us directly on 0844 856 4630 or via email. This guide details some of the features and benefits of selling through Manheim Auctions but for a solution tailored to your needs please conatct us.

Manheim Auctions has a national network of 18 auction centres covering the length and breadth of Britain.

Choose from thousands of cars, vans, trucks and motorbikes from more than 50 weekly auctions - daytime and evening!

Our auction centres are open to the public so you can buy and sell all types of vehicle, regardless of make, model, age and price.

About Us

• Manheim Auctions is the largest vehicle auction company in the world.
• Combining over 60 years of auction experience in the UK with modern business practices, we provide our customers with the best choice in the market.
• Voted the UK’s Best Car & Van Auction company for the last 3 years - whether buying or selling, you can trust Manheim Auctions to make it easy.
• There are 18 car auction centres, including Europe’s largest auction centre at Colchester, in our UK network.
• 9 commercial vehicle auction centres, offer light commercial vehicles (vans), heavy goods vehicles (trucks & trailers) and plant (construction & farming machinery).
• There is also one motorbike auction centre at Mansfield.

Manheim Auctions makes it easy!

• Firstly, it’s quick, problem-free and secure: No more time wasters, no more waiting for the phone to ring, no strangers to your home.
• Huge network of buyers bidding against each other in the auction hall.
• Professional buyers as well as other members of the public.
• As the seller, you can determine whether the vehicle is to be sold with a trial or on a “sold as seen” basis.
• We do all the hard work for you.
• You decide the minimum amount you will accept for your vehicle — the ‘Reserve Price’ (See Jargon Buster in section 7). The auctioneer will not accept bids lower than this amount (unless it is to be treated as a provisional bid). Reserves cannot be set for vehicles valued at less than £1,000 or over 8 years old.
• When the vehicle is sold and paid for by the buyer, you have guaranteed payment. You will simply receive a cheque direct from Manheim Auctions.
• We sell all types of vehicle from cars to trucks

Manheim Auctions makes the selling process an easy one

We have 18 auction centres around the country selling different mixes of vehicles. Call our Customer Services team on 0844 856 4630 to find the most suitable auction centre for your vehicle.

Contact your chosen centre to book your vehicle into the auction.  In most cases, they will tell you there is no need to book, otherwise they will tell you when you can next enter a vehicle.

Also ask us about our additional services which can add value to your vehicle, such as reconditioning and Manheim Assured and Van Check.

You can drive or have your vehicle delivered to the chosen auction centre. We’ll even collect it if you want, just give us a call and we’ll arrange it for a nominal fee.

Remember to bring all the necessary paperwork (if available) with you such as V5c form, service history, and MOT certificates. This may add value to your vehicle during the auction (vehicles will not be accepted for entry without a V5c or a proof of purchase).

On arrival, go to reception and pick up an Entry Form.

Our experienced and trained staff will be on hand to answer any queries you may have. It is important that you complete all sections of the form accurately and fully, as it is this information that is used by the auctioneer when selling your vehicle. Once completed, you must sign the Entry Form.

Without your signature we cannot sell the vehicle.

Notification to DVLA Swansea

If you have the new book style (V5c) or 3-part vehicle registration document (V5), then simply give it to us when you bring the vehicle or give it to our collection driver. There’s no need to do anything else, we’ll contact the DVLA and pass the appropriate section of the form on to the purchaser.

If you are present during the auction, we’ll ask you to stand to the side of the auctioneer’s rostrum. 80% of vehicles at Manheim Auctions are sold first time out. However, if a bid is received that is close but not quite the Reserve Price (see Section 7) the auctioneer will ask if you are happy to accept that bid.

If you are unable to attend the auction and a provisional bid is taken, the auction team will contact you. In either case, you have the option of accepting the highest bid or asking the team to secure a higher offer. You always have the option of holding on to your vehicle and re-offering it at a later date (further charges may apply).

Following receipt from the buyer, the cheque for the net sale proceeds (after commission and charges) will be posted to the name and address shown on the entry form. If you are VAT registered, you will need to record your VAT number in the section provided, provide evidence of VAT registration if required, and advise us whether you recovered any VAT when you purchased the vehicle, thus determining the VAT status of the vehicle. This is a fraud prevention measure.

1. Click here to find your nearest auction centre.
2. Before you bring in your vehicle, come along to an auction simply to see how the auction process works.
3. Once you’ve experienced the auction environment, either call the auction centre or go to the Reception desk, explain that you want to sell your vehicle and arrange the best day to bring it in.
4. When you bring in your vehicle, make sure it’s clean and in the best possible condition. This could make your vehicle more sellable.
5. Manheim Auctions’ Centres offer reconditioning and valeting services.  If your vehicle needs a bit more than a quick clean, ask reception for a quote to get rid of scuffs, dings and dents.
6. When you bring in your vehicle, have all the correct documents with you including the tax disc, V5c document, service book and MOT certificate to help you get the best price possible.
7. If you want to set a “Reserve Price” (i.e. the minimum price that you would accept) carefully check price guides to ensure that the price you set is realistic.
8. If your vehicle is sold ‘provisionally’, your reserve price was not met.  In this case, the Auction Centre will negotiate between you and the potential buyer to agree a price. To sell your vehicle, you need to be prepared to negotiate.
9. If your vehicle doesn’t sell first time, discuss with auction centre staff why. It normally means that the Reserve Price was too high and you need to reduce it.
10. If you are not sure about anything, ask Manheim Auctions’ staff. They are the experts and are there to help you sell your vehicle.

To allow us to effectively sell your vehicle as best we can, the description of your vehicle needs to be as accurate as possible. If you have any significant extras and/or full service history, these should be noted, as they may enhance the value of the vehicle.

You must also provide proof of ownership/Legal title to the vehicle. Engine, chassis number and “date first registered” in the UK must be shown on the Entry Form.

Even if the vehicle is to be “sold as seen” you must complete all the sections relating to Insurance, Total Loss, Re-registration or changed registration number. If there is an outstanding hire purchase agreement on the vehicle, you must show the details in the box provided, stating whether or not you wish Manheim Auctions to settle the outstanding hire purchase from the proceeds of the sale. If you don’t want us to settle the agreement for you, then we will hold the proceeds of the sale until the outstanding balance has been settled. This is to ensure that the buyer has a vehicle that is free from any previous finance agreements.

When filling in the Mechanical Condition Section of the Entry Form, you must describe your vehicle in one of the following ways:

• No major mechanical faults
• Specified faults i.e. any faults with the engine, gearbox, clutch, brakes, steering, transmission
• Sold as seen i.e. with all its faults and without warranty

If you have selected an end of sale trial, the purchaser has up to one hour after the end of the auction to query the description of the vehicle and any faults not disclosed by you. The Auction Centre Manager will investigate these immediately, and if in agreement with the buyer, the Auction Centre Manager will contact you to negotiate an adjustment to the price to cover fixing the fault. In extreme circumstances the Auction Centre Manager can authorise a cancellation of the sale. If you are in any doubt as to the mechanical condition of your vehicle, we would advise you to ask for our Manheim Assured (for cars) or Van Check inspection.

All vehicles over 8 years old or with an auction value less than £1,000 are automatically “sold as seen”. In this instance, no complaints can be entertained from the buyer.

Odometer Readings

Once you complete the Odometer Reading on the Entry Form you must then state whether the reading is correct or incorrect. Penalties for mis-description can be severe, with prosecution through the courts. You should not state that the reading is correct unless you are absolutely sure and have evidence to support it.

Reserve Price

You must decide on a reserve price and write it in the box provided on the Entry Form. If you need any help in this matter then one of our senior auction staff will be happy to help. Once the reserve price has been set, we cannot sell your vehicle for less than that figure without your consent.

Reserve Prices cannot be set on any vehicle over 8 years old or where the selling price is likely to be less than £1,000, unless otherwise agreed by the Auction Centre Manager.

No lectures here. Just a few of the rules we ask you to follow when you’re at the auction:

• Children under the age of 14 are not allowed at the auction unless supervised at all times by an adult.
• You must be 17 years of age or older to purchase a vehicle. Proof of age may be required.
• Please do not walk between moving or marshalled vehicles.
• Unauthorised persons cannot start up or drive any vehicles entered into the auction.
• No smoking in any enclosed or under cover area.
• If you have any further questions about selling at Manheim Auctions, please call your nearest auction centre.

Assured

A Manheim Auctions product which offers a 15 point mechanical check and a 3 day guarantee on the vehicle, offering peace of mind to the buyer.

Catalogues

The listing of all vehicles to be offered for sale at a given Auction.

Commercial Vehicles

Vans, Trucks, Trailers and Plant.

Condition Report

A document detailing the vehicle description and any visible damage.

Contract Hire

A longer-term rental agreement offered by Leasing Companies.

Dealer Groups

A type of business seller at Auction. These vehicles are dealer part-exchanges or overage stock from car dealerships.

Fall of the Hammer

The ‘fall of the (Auctioneer’s) Hammer’ signifies the vehicle has been sold, and the Auctioneer will accept no further bids.

Featured sales

This section on the website shows forthcoming special auctions.

Finance Houses

A type of business seller at Auction. Vehicles offered are ex-lease / finance vehicles and have been used by businesses for company fleet vehicles or private individuals.

Financial Guarantee

Surcharge payable as a guarantee against loss of title to a vehicle.

Hammer price

The price the vehicle is sold at, when the Auctioneer states the vehicle is sold and brings down the hammer.

Leasing Companies

A type of business seller to Auction. Vehicles offered are ex-lease / finance vehicles and would most likely have been used by businesses for company fleet vehicles.

Local Utilities

A type of business seller to Auction. Vehicles offered are generally commercial vehicles used by utility companies.

Log Book

Vehicle registration document, also known as V5c.

Lot number

This is the number allocated to the vehicle (will be marked on the vehicle) going through the auction, listed in the catalogue.

Manufacturer

A type of business seller to Auction. These vehicles will come directly from vehicle manufacturers.

Non Runners

Vehicles that won’t start.

Open / Closed Auction

Open auctions can be attended by all buyers. Closed auctions can only be attended by invited, normally trade, buyers.

Plant

A broad name to include all miscellaneous items sold at auction such as grass cutting and landscaping equipment, golf buggies, down to electric drills.

Private buyers

Non-trade buyers i.e. the general public.

Private cars

Vehicles entered into the Auction by the general public.

Provisional Sale

When the vehicle has not met the Reserve Price set by the seller, we contact the seller to ask if they are willing to accept the highest bid made.

Reconditioning

A professional service enabling the repair of cosmetic damage to a vehicle.

Remarketing

A term used to describe the re-sale of used vehicles through auction or direct to memebers of the motor trade in the wholsesale rather than retail market.

Reserve Price

The minimum price the seller has specified for which they wish to sell the vehicle. This information is confidential to the Auction. If the reserve price is not met, the vehicle will be sold provisionally.

Rostrum

The podium where the Auctioneer stands.

Sold as Seen

Where a vehicle is offered without a guarantee.

The Sale

The Auction.

Trade

Refers to Motor Trade customers.

Van Check

A Manheim Auctions product offering a 21 point mechanical check with money back guarantee.

VCAR

Vehicle Condition and Alert Register. If a vehicle has had extensive repairs which are registered on a vehicle database, this will be declared as VCAR.

Vendors

People or companies who are selling vehicles at Auction.

Warranted Mileage

Where the vendor confirms the mileage is correct.