Buying a car at auction is the easy part. Getting it from the auction yard to your forecourt, your customer or your driveway, on time and without damage, is where deals can slip. This guide explains how auction car collection and dealer vehicle delivery works in the UK, what to prepare, and how trade accounts reduce the admin for regular movers.
How does auction car collection work?
After the sale, the vehicle sits at the auction site until it is paid for and released. Our drivers collect it once the auction confirms release, then deliver it to the address you choose. We can collect from auction houses nationwide, including on the day of sale where the auction's release process allows it. We arrange the transport through independent operators, and a driver gets in touch with you when they arrive.
You can see an instant price for a one-off job with our online quote, with no account needed. For the full service details, see our auction and dealer delivery page.
What should I have ready before booking an auction collection?
Auctions each run their own release process, so a little preparation avoids delays at the gate.
- The auction name, site location, and the lot or reference number.
- Confirmation that payment has cleared and the vehicle is released for collection.
- Any release code, gate pass or paperwork the auction asks the collecting driver to show.
- The delivery address, including any access limits and the name of someone who can receive the car.
- Whether the vehicle runs, as a non-runner needs a flatbed truck and winching.
Many auctions charge storage after a set number of days, so check your auction's terms and book the collection promptly to avoid extra fees.
What does dealer vehicle delivery involve?
Dealer delivery covers a sale to another dealer, a move between your own branches, or delivery to a retail customer. These jobs depend on reliability. The vehicle needs to arrive on the agreed day, in the same condition it left, with a clean handover. We can handle single-vehicle moves and multi-drop dealer and fleet runs, and our drivers are used to how a forecourt handoff actually works. If you are moving several cars at once, our multi-car transport page explains the options.
How do I protect a vehicle during delivery?
A simple routine protects both sides if there is ever a dispute:
- Photograph the car before collection. Take clear photos of every panel, the wheels, the interior and the mileage.
- Note existing damage. Mark scratches and dents on the handover paperwork.
- Remove loose items. Take personal belongings and valuables out of the car.
- Agree who receives it. Give us a contact name and number at the delivery end.
- Check on arrival. Inspect the vehicle at delivery and report any issue straight away.
What is a trade account and who is it for?
A trade account is for dealers, auction buyers and fleet managers who book transport regularly. Instead of paying per job online, jobs are logged against your account as they happen and invoiced monthly on 30-day terms, with no card entered per job. Existing trade customers can see every invoice and job history through our online tracking. Trade accounts are quoted and invoiced separately from our online pricing, and volume discounts are discussed by phone based on your typical routes. Setting one up is a short conversation rather than a lengthy application. Read more on our trade accounts page.
How much does auction and dealer delivery cost?
Price depends on the distance, the vehicles and the route. For a one-off job, enter the pickup and drop-off postcodes in our online quote and you see the price before you commit. The price is based on the details you give and may change if they are different on the day, for example if the car is a non-runner or access is restricted. For regular work, a trade account gives you standing rates agreed in advance. If the car is a non-runner, see our non-runner transport page, and for general planned moves see vehicle transport.
What if the car breaks down on the way, or I need recovery instead?
If a vehicle is stranded rather than planned for transport, that is a recovery job. Our guide on what to do when your car breaks down covers it, and our accident recovery guide explains what happens after a collision. Both give the call-out pricing inside and outside the M25.
Why use a transport partner instead of driving the car home?
Driving an auction purchase home can seem cheaper, but it often is not once you count a driver's time, fuel, the train or taxi back, and the risk of putting miles on a car you have not yet inspected. An unfamiliar vehicle might have a fault the auction did not flag, and a breakdown on the way home costs more than a planned delivery. Carrying the car also keeps the mileage and condition unchanged, which matters when you are about to resell it. For dealers, the time saved is the biggest benefit: your staff stay on the forecourt while the car is collected for you.
What are the most common mistakes with auction collections?
Most delays come from the same few things. The car has not been released because payment has not cleared. The collecting driver does not have the release code or paperwork the auction needs. The auction closes before the driver can get there, or storage charges begin because the car stayed too long. The delivery address has a barrier, a height limit or no one to receive the car. Fixing these before you book is quick, and it makes the price and the arrival estimate much more reliable.
Where do you collect and deliver?
We arrange collection and delivery across the UK. Local pages cover London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Bristol, Southampton, Newcastle, Nottingham, Norwich, Exeter, Carlisle and Kent. See the full list on areas we cover, or read our London 24/7 recovery guide.
Ready to book? See my price or call 07886 658982 to set up a trade account. WhatsApp is available too.