A large share of the used cars you see at Czech and European dealers comes from B2B auctions. Dealers buy in bulk there, often cheaper than on classified portals, and the cars travel from there across Europe. A private person usually cannot get onto these platforms, though. Here is an overview of the best known ones and how it all works.
What a B2B auction is and why it is not for private individuals
B2B (business-to-business) means that only companies buy and sell: used-car dealers, traders, leasing companies, car rental firms and manufacturers. The cars come from returned leases, fleets, rental companies and buy-backs. The platforms have their own condition checks, descriptions and grades, so a dealer can buy dozens of cars at once and remotely.
To register, a company is usually asked for a commercial register extract or trade licence, an ID document and an EU VAT ID. Private individuals are mostly excluded from these auctions.
The most popular European B2B auctions
Below are the platforms that appear most often in industry overviews and among dealers. Size figures come mostly from the operators' own materials, so treat them as indicative.
- OPENLANE (formerly ADESA Europe): a large European platform for cars from leases, fleets and rental companies; according to the operator it serves only automotive professionals, not private individuals.
- BCA Marketplace: one of the largest European remarketers of used cars; the company says it sells over a million vehicles a year through dozens of auction centres in several countries.
- Autorola: an online platform for dealers, fleets and manufacturers; only approved professional buyers can purchase.
- CarOnSale: a German platform for dealers; registration requires a commercial register extract, an ID document and a VAT ID.
- Autobid.de: a German B2B platform with thousands of cars a week (up to 4,500 according to the operator).
- AUTO1.com: one of the largest German B2B used-car traders, which buys from private sellers and sells to dealers across Europe.
Which platform to choose depends on the cars you are after (age, make, country of origin) and the country where you want to buy. Dealers usually use several platforms at once.
What to watch out for when buying at a B2B auction
The hammer price is not the final price. Before you bid, check:
- Fees: the auction fee, administrative fees, storage and transport are added to the price.
- Condition grade: the platform's report is only indicative; verify accidents, the odometer and the real condition for the specific car.
- Claim terms: cars at auctions are often sold "as is" and the deadlines for complaints are short.
- VAT: when buying from a company in the EU it depends on the regime (regular VAT or the special scheme for second-hand goods); check it with your accountant.
- Collection: cars have to be collected within a set period, otherwise storage fees apply.
- Documents: make sure you get all the necessary documents with the car, including the registration certificate Part II and, where relevant, the COC.
How to buy a car from an auction even if you are not a dealer
If you do not have a company with an EU VAT ID, you can use an intermediary. Dr. Motors selects a car to your brief, checks the documents and the condition, buys on your behalf and takes care of transport and the subsequent registration in the Czech Republic. We confirm the terms and the fee in advance, before you pay anything.
A typical process looks like this:
- We agree the brief: make, budget, age and equipment.
- We search for suitable vehicles and check the documents and condition grades.
- We buy at the auction and arrange the payment.
- We bring the car on our own car transporter.
- We arrange the MOT, insurance and registration, and you receive a car ready to drive.
Interested in a specific car, or just want to ask what makes sense? Write to us and we will advise you free of charge.
