Manheim Auctions
Sell
Guide to Selling

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Talk to us about about the best way of selling your car or van at any of our 19 auction centres. Call us now on 0870 83 83 900 or click here for more information

1. Welcome to Manheim Auctions

When it comes to buying or selling used vehicles, no one can match Manheim’s experience, understanding and reputation for results. As the world’s largest vehicle auction company and together with our unrivalled resources and depth of experience, we set the standard within the industry.

While we are always looking to develop our portfolio of services, we never lose sight of the most important link in the chain. That’s you, our customer. At Manheim, we know that it’s still very much a people industry. That is why experts from all sectors of the motor trade form the backbone of our company and importantly, we make sure that their insight and expertise is made available to you, wherever and whenever you need it.

Whether you’re buying or selling, Manheim plan to make it as quick and easy as possible. If there’s anything you’re not sure about then don’t hesitate to call us on 0870 83 83 900. Our fully trained and professional staff are on hand to help you.

2. How to enter your vehicle for sale

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

If you deliver the vehicle yourself, go to reception on arrival 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.

To allow us to sell your vehicle as quickly and efficiently as possible all these points must be answered in full. 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 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.

The cheque for the net sale proceeds (after commission and charges) will be posted to the name and address shown on the 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 will prevent fraud from unscrupulous vendors.

Once completed, you must sign the Entry Form. Without your signature we cannot sell the vehicle.

3. Selling Descriptions

To allow us to 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 will enhance the value of the vehicle.

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 Assured inspection.

All vehicles over 5 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 misdescription 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.

Provisional Sales

If you are present at the sale, we’ll ask you to stand to the side of the auctioneer’s rostrum. If a bid is received that is close but not quite the reserve price the auctioneer will ask if you are happy to accept that bid. If you are unable to attend the sale and a provisional bid is taken, the Provisional sales clerk will contact you for instruction. In either case, you have the option of accepting the highest bid or asking the clerk to secure a higher offer. The clerk may be able to negotiate a price that is satisfactory to both parties. This is called a Private Treaty Sale, and differs from an outright sale under the auctioneer’s hammer. 80% of vehicles at Manheim Auctions are sold first time out, however you always have the option of holding on to your vehicle and re-offering it at a later date (further charges may apply).

Payment

Your cheque for the sale proceeds, less our commission and charges will be sent to you, usually 5 working days after the sale. Please make sure that the name and address details are clearly written on the Entry Form.

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.

Our Charges

As well as being great value, all our charges are simple, straightforward and up-front. Please ask at reception or the cash office for our rates & charges.

Fleet Sales

Manheim have a number of innovative services available to Fleet sellers. Tailored to suit your individual requirements we can arrange collection, engineer reports, valeting, reconditioning and much more. To see what we can do for you and your fleet, please call our Corporate Sales Team on 0870 252 0402.

4. Auction centre rules

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.

If you have any further questions about selling at Manheim Auctions, for private sellers, please call your nearest Manheim Auction Centre or, for any other vendors including fleets, manufacturers and dealers, please call 0870 252 0430.

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