When you think of buying or selling cars at auction, your first thought might be of collectible toy cars. But did you know that you can also sell motor cars at auction? If your old car is sitting unused on the driveway or taking up valuable space in your garage, you might be thinking – what’s the best way to sell my old vehicle? While many turn to private listings or trade-ins, selling your old car at auction may be the best option.
Let’s explore some of the benefits of choosing to sell your old car at auction, over selling it privately or trading it in.
Speed and convenience
Private sales can drag on for weeks, sometimes months. You’ll need to take photos, write listings, vet potential buyers and deal with timewasters or no-shows. At an auction, your car enters a scheduled sale with a committed audience of buyers, many of whom are ready to purchase immediately. At Potteries Auctions, we handle all the logistics such as photography, listings and paperwork, so you don’t have to.
Competitive bidding = fair market price
One of the biggest perks of an auction is the competitive nature of bidding. Buyers compete in real time which often drives up the price, especially if your car is a rare model, has low mileage, or is in great condition for its age. Auctions are transparent and driven by market demand, so you’re more likely to receive a fair – or even better than expected – price. If you’re thinking of scrapping your car you can often find a better price at auction over local scrapyard prices, too.
Access to a wider audience
Our auctions attract a wide range of buyers, creating more demand and better odds of finding the right buyer quickly. Having your car included in our auction catalogue means that we’ll match it to the auction we think will get you the best results, marketing it to our UK-wide network of buyers, and, increasingly, to international buyers as well.
Less hassle, more peace of mind
Worried about haggling, test drives, or being let down by a buyer who changes their mind? Selling at auction removes those uncertainties. We will handle buyer enquiries, payments and collection – giving you peace of mind and freeing up your time.
Transparent fees and no hidden costs
Many sellers are surprised to learn how cost-effective auctions can be. With transparent entry fees and commission structures, you’ll know exactly what to expect. Learn more about our auction selling fees here.
Sustainable selling
Selling your car at auction can give it a second life. Rather than scrapping a car that still has years of use left, auctions can connect your vehicle with someone who values it – whether it’s a student looking for a first car, a motor enthusiast looking for a new restoration project, or a family on a budget. It’s a more sustainable alternative to sending it straight to the scrapyard.
Take a look at some of the old cars and other vehicles we’ve sold at auction in recent years.
This Ford Fiesta 5-Door Hatchback sold for £340.
From the same auction, this low-mileage 2002 Nissan Micra Vive sold for £200, despite having been stood for over 12 months.
A passion project for the right person, this 2004 Daihatsu Copen Coupe Convertible was also in need of some attention after being stood for over 12 months. However, it still sold for a respectable £720.
This 2005 Ford Mondeo Zetec Tdci sold for £200 back in October 2024, even with a flat battery.
From the same auction, this 2003 Jaguar X type V6 Auto 4-door saloon sold for £100.
This 2003 Land Rover Freelander sold for £300.
As well as our fair share of cars, we’ve also sold vans at auction before too. This 2007 Ford Transit sold for £580 as part of our Construction Machinery & Inventory Auction last summer.
How to sell your car at auction
Whether it’s a classic, a runabout or a nearly-new model, there’s a buyer out there. If you’re considering selling your old car, get in touch with us for an expert evaluation. Free valuation days are held every Tuesday at our Silverdale saleroom and every Thursday at our Cobridge saleroom – to book an appointment, use our online booking form here.
If you’re currently unable to move the car for us to evaluate in person but would like to submit it for auction or valuation, then send us an email to enquiries@potteriesauctions.com. Please include details and photographs (e.g. make, model, measurements, condition) and one of our experts will be able to provide information and auction estimates. Valuations can also be provided via WhatsApp by sending your images and information to 07864 667940.