Table of Contents
Why auctions are a relevant stock channel for dealerships
Types of auctions: where vehicles come from and what each implies
Main professional auction platforms in Spain
How to calculate the maximum bid price before entering
What to check before bidding: documentation and vehicle condition
Real costs of an auction purchase: beyond the hammer price
Tax regime for cars bought at auction
Common mistakes when buying at auction and how to avoid them
Frequently asked questions
Why auctions are a relevant stock channel for dealerships
The price at which you buy a car determines the margin you can obtain when selling it. The closer to market price you pay at purchase, the less margin remains to absorb the costs of preparation, publishing, financing and sales. Professional auctions allow, in many cases, the acquisition of vehicles below the price they would reach if they went through a private sales portal or an intermediary dealership.
This does not mean that all auctions offer bargains. It means that there is a price window in which, with discipline and judgment, it is possible to build stock with real margin. This window narrows if you do not know how to properly calculate the maximum price before entering, if you do not know the additional costs involved in each transaction or if you buy without checking the vehicle documentation.
Auctions also allow access to volume: in a single session you can evaluate and bid on dozens of vehicles of different origins, makes and price ranges. For a dealership that wants to diversify stock without depending on a single sourcing channel, it is a tool that complements well buying from private sellers, trade-ins and agreements with leasing companies.
Types of auctions: where vehicles come from and what each implies
The origin of the auctioned vehicle conditions its state, its documentation, the tax regime you can apply in the resale and the risk of the operation. Buying at a leasing auction is not the same as buying at a judicial auction.
Leasing and corporate fleet auctions. They are the most common source of vehicles in professional auctions in Spain. Leasing companies and large corporate fleets renew their vehicles periodically and liquidate them through specialized auction houses. The typical profile is vehicles between 3 and 5 years old, with documented mileage and official servicing. The purchase invoice includes itemized VAT because the seller is a company, which means that on resale you must apply the general VAT scheme, not the REBU (Special Scheme for Second-Hand Goods).
Dealership and manufacturer auctions. Dealerships and importers themselves liquidate through auctions the vehicles they have not been able to sell through the retail channel: pre-registered, demos, old stock. They usually have low mileage and are in good condition. The invoice also includes itemized VAT.
Insurance and write-off auctions. Vehicles declared a total loss by insurance companies. The entry price can be very low, but the risk is high: many require expensive repairs, some have structural damage that makes them unfeasible for subsequent sale as roadworthy vehicles, and the documentation may present complications. These are operations for profiles with their own body shop and specific technical knowledge.
Judicial and administrative auctions. Seized, confiscated vehicles or vehicles owned by public administrations that are liquidated by judicial or administrative order. The process is slower, the documentation may have issues and access requires meeting specific requirements. It is not the most efficient channel for regularly sourcing stock.
Private seller auctions (mixed platforms). Some online platforms allow private individuals to auction their vehicles. The tax treatment in the purchase is that of a purchase from a private seller (no VAT), which allows applying REBU on resale. The drawback is that the information on the vehicle's condition is usually less reliable than in professional auctions.
Main professional auction platforms in Spain
The professional vehicle auction market in Spain is relatively concentrated in a few platforms with a national presence. These are the most relevant for a used car dealership:
BCA (British Car Auctions). It is the largest professional vehicle auction network in Europe and has facilities in Spain. It works mainly with stock from leasing, fleets and manufacturers. It operates both in physical format (with physical centers where vehicles can be inspected) and online. It requires prior registration as a professional buyer.
Autorola. Online B2B auction platform with a presence in several European countries. Specialized in corporate fleets and company vehicles. It allows participation from anywhere with internet access and offers detailed spec sheets with photos and description of the vehicle's condition. Useful for accessing stock from other European markets if the import profile fits the business.
Manheim. Operated by Cox Automotive, it has a presence in Spain and works with stock from leasing, fleets and official dealerships. Mixed physical and online format.
ALD Carmarket / LeasePlan Exchange / Arval. Leasing companies themselves have their own or semi-private platforms to liquidate their stock at the end of contracts. Accessing these platforms directly, without intermediaries, usually offers better conditions than buying in generic auctions where the leasing stock has already passed through several filters.
Copart. Specialized in write-offs and salvage vehicles. For dealerships without their own workshop or without specific knowledge in repairing serious damage, it is not the most suitable channel for conventional sales stock.
To compare how auctions perform against other acquisition channels in terms of real margin, you can check the article on car auctions vs leasing: which yields more margin.
How to calculate the maximum bid price before entering
This is the step that most dealerships skip or do imprecisely, and it is the one that has the most impact on the profitability of each transaction. Before entering an auction, every vehicle that interests you must have its maximum bid price calculated. Exceeding it, even by €200, can turn a profitable deal into one with insufficient margin.
The starting formula is:
Maximum bid price = Expected sale price − Preparation costs − Marketing costs − Target margin
Each term requires realistic estimates:
Expected sale price. Check market prices for that model, year, mileage and equipment on the portals where you are going to sell it. Do not use the highest price that appears in the market, use the median of active listings for similar cars. Tools like the Coches.net price report, AutoScout24 or market data integrated into management platforms give you an objective reference.
Preparation costs. Includes: deep cleaning, necessary repairs for sale, MOT if expired, professional photography and any setup expenses. For a leasing vehicle in good general condition, estimate between €300 and €600. For one with visible damage or high mileage, it can exceed €1,000.
Marketing costs. Portal listings, commissions if you use a DealConnect or similar, and the cost of time in stock (every day the car is not sold has a cost of tied-up capital). If your average rotation is 45 days and you have a financial cost of stock, include it.
Target margin. Define the minimum margin you need per operation for the channel to be profitable. For vehicles between €8,000 and €15,000, a net margin of €800-€1,200 per operation is a reasonable target in auctions. You can review how to calculate gross and net margins accurately in the guide on margin on second-hand cars.
Once that maximum price is calculated, write it down before entering the auction and do not budge. The auction dynamics generate pressure to exceed the limit at the last moment. Dealerships that maintain discipline with the maximum price are the ones that maintain margins.
What to check before bidding: documentation and vehicle condition
In physical auctions you have the possibility to inspect the vehicles before the session. In online auctions you have to work with the vehicle data sheet, photos and, in some cases, standardized status reports. In both cases, there are minimum points to check before bidding.
Documentation. Verify that the vehicle has a valid registration certificate, that it has no outstanding charges or seizures and that the MOT is valid or at least you know its expiry date. A DGT report before bidding avoids surprises with the transfer process. To see what buying a car with a seizure or charges involves, you can consult the guide on how to remove a seizure from a car.
History. The number of previous owners, the mileage recorded in MOT inspections and whether the vehicle has been in an accident are the data that most condition the price at which you can sell it. A car with four owners in five years or with an accident recorded in its history will have a lower market price even if its visible condition is good.
Mechanical condition. In physical auctions, a basic 10-15 minute inspection covers: cold start, condition of tires and brakes, fluid levels, dashboard indicators and visible signs of bumps or repairs. For high-priced vehicles or those with high mileage, it is worth visiting the workshop before bidding if the auction allows it.
Equipment. Verify that the equipment advertised on the data sheet is indeed in the vehicle (keys, manuals, floor mats, spare wheel). Discrepancies between the data sheet and the actual status are common and difficult to claim once the lot has been awarded.
For a complete review of what to check on each vehicle before buying, you can review the guide on what to look for before bidding in a professional car auction.
Real costs of an auction purchase: beyond the hammer price
The hammer price is just the starting point. An auction purchase has additional costs that, if not included in the prior calculation, reduce the real margin of the operation.
Buyer's fee. Most platforms charge the buyer a fee on the hammer price. It can be between 2% and 5% depending on the platform and the agreement. At BCA, for example, there are fee tables based on the price of the vehicle. This cost is fixed and unavoidable and must be in the calculation of the maximum bid price.
Transport. If the vehicle is in an auction center 300 km away from your dealership, transport has a cost. Vehicle transport companies charge between €150 and €400 for national delivery depending on the distance. If you buy in volume, it is possible to negotiate rates or group transport.
Preparation and repairs. Already included in the maximum price calculation, but it is the cost most often underestimated. The difference between the condition described on the data sheet and the actual condition can mean an additional €200-€500 in many cases.
Taxes. If the vehicle is purchased with VAT (leasing, fleets, official dealerships), you can deduct that VAT in your tax return. If it is bought without VAT (auctions from private sellers or judicial auctions), there is no VAT to deduct but you can apply REBU on resale. Under no circumstances does a professional dealership pay ITP (Property Transfer Tax) on the purchase: ITP is a tax for private buyers, not for professionals in the sector.
Tax regime for cars bought at auction
The tax treatment of the purchase depends on who acts as the seller in the auction.
If the auctioneer acts as an intermediary between the original owner (leasing company, fleet) and the buying dealership, and issues an invoice with itemized VAT, you can deduct that VAT but on resale you must apply the general scheme.
If the auctioneer acts as a direct seller under REBU (by having bought the vehicles itself from private sellers or having acquired them under conditions that allow it), the invoice does not carry itemized VAT and you can apply REBU on resale.
In practice, the way to know is always the same: check the purchase invoice. If it has itemized VAT, general scheme on resale. If it does not, REBU. Trying to apply REBU on the resale of a car whose purchase carried itemized VAT is one of the most common tax errors and one of the most costly in an inspection. To go deeper into this point, you can consult the complete REBU guide for dealerships.
Common errors when buying at auctions and how to avoid them
Bidding without having calculated the maximum price. Entering an auction "to see what comes up" and deciding on the fly how far to go is the fastest way to buy expensive. The maximum price is calculated beforehand, with market data, and is not modified during the bidding.
Not including the buyer's fee in the calculation. If you calculate the maximum price on the hammer price without including the fee, you are paying between 2% and 5% more than you planned on each deal.
Buying by volume without evaluating each vehicle individually. The temptation to win several lots in the same session leads to buying vehicles that do not meet the minimum profitability criteria. Each car has its own maximum price; there is no single lot price that works for everyone.
Not verifying the documentation before bidding. Buying a vehicle with an active seizure, with an expired MOT or with pending sanctions that block the transfer generates costs and delays that were not in the initial calculation. Requesting the DGT report before bidding is the €8.67 investment that yields the highest return per transaction.
Ignoring the cost of transport. For a dealership in Barcelona buying at an auction center in Madrid, transport can add €200-€300 to the cost of each vehicle. If that cost is not in the maximum bid price, the margin is eroded without any visible error in the transaction.
To see the most common mistakes in detail with concrete examples of how they affect the margin, you can consult the article on mistakes when buying cars at auction.
More than 750 dealerships already use Dealcar to manage their daily operations
When you buy at auction, the vehicle enters the stock with an invoice, a history and preparation costs that need to be correctly registered from day one. Dealcar allows you to register the vehicle in stock with all its data, link the purchase invoice and associated costs, check the DGT report directly from the file and track the real margin of each operation as it progresses.
If you want to see how it works, you can schedule a free demo at dealcar.io.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be a professional to buy at car auctions?
Most professional auctions (BCA, Autorola, Manheim) require the buyer to be a professional in the sector with registered economic activity. Access for private individuals is limited or directly prohibited. Some platforms request supporting documentation (registration in the IAE, company tax code/CIF) for registration.
Can I return a car if it has problems after the auction?
Generally, no. Professional auctions are conducted on a "sold as seen" basis: the buyer accepts the condition of the vehicle at the time of the sale. Some platforms offer limited guarantees on declared data (mileage, accident history), but discrepancies between the described and actual condition are difficult to claim once the purchase is completed. Pre-bid inspection is the only real protection.
How do I know if the winning bid price was good or not?
The reference is the market price for that specific vehicle on the channel where you are going to sell it. If you win a vehicle for €7,000 and the expected retail price on a portal is €10,000, you have €3,000 of gross margin to cover preparation, marketing and net margin. If you win it for €8,500, the gross margin drops to €1,500 and may not cover costs. The winning bid price is only good or bad in relation to the selling price and the costs of the transaction.
Are online auctions as reliable as physical ones?
It depends on the platform. Online auctions by professional operators (BCA Online, Autorola) have description and photography standards that allow for informed decisions. The risk is that you cannot perform a physical inspection before bidding. For high-priced vehicles or those with specific characteristics, a physical auction or a commissioned inspection service is safer. For standard profile and mid-price vehicles, online platforms work well if the operator has a good reputation.
How long does it take to complete the transfer of a car bought at auction?
It depends on the administrative status of the vehicle and whether the management is done by the auction house or you handle it directly. Under normal conditions, between 5 and 15 business days. If the vehicle has an administrative issue (pending charge, expired MOT), the period is extended. Some platforms offer transfer management services included in the buyer's fee.
Table of Contents
Why auctions are a relevant stock channel for dealerships
Types of auctions: where vehicles come from and what each implies
Main professional auction platforms in Spain
How to calculate the maximum bid price before entering
What to check before bidding: documentation and vehicle condition
Real costs of an auction purchase: beyond the hammer price
Tax regime for cars bought at auction
Common mistakes when buying at auction and how to avoid them
Frequently asked questions
Why auctions are a relevant stock channel for dealerships
The price at which you buy a car determines the margin you can obtain when selling it. The closer to market price you pay at purchase, the less margin remains to absorb the costs of preparation, publishing, financing and sales. Professional auctions allow, in many cases, the acquisition of vehicles below the price they would reach if they went through a private sales portal or an intermediary dealership.
This does not mean that all auctions offer bargains. It means that there is a price window in which, with discipline and judgment, it is possible to build stock with real margin. This window narrows if you do not know how to properly calculate the maximum price before entering, if you do not know the additional costs involved in each transaction or if you buy without checking the vehicle documentation.
Auctions also allow access to volume: in a single session you can evaluate and bid on dozens of vehicles of different origins, makes and price ranges. For a dealership that wants to diversify stock without depending on a single sourcing channel, it is a tool that complements well buying from private sellers, trade-ins and agreements with leasing companies.
Types of auctions: where vehicles come from and what each implies
The origin of the auctioned vehicle conditions its state, its documentation, the tax regime you can apply in the resale and the risk of the operation. Buying at a leasing auction is not the same as buying at a judicial auction.
Leasing and corporate fleet auctions. They are the most common source of vehicles in professional auctions in Spain. Leasing companies and large corporate fleets renew their vehicles periodically and liquidate them through specialized auction houses. The typical profile is vehicles between 3 and 5 years old, with documented mileage and official servicing. The purchase invoice includes itemized VAT because the seller is a company, which means that on resale you must apply the general VAT scheme, not the REBU (Special Scheme for Second-Hand Goods).
Dealership and manufacturer auctions. Dealerships and importers themselves liquidate through auctions the vehicles they have not been able to sell through the retail channel: pre-registered, demos, old stock. They usually have low mileage and are in good condition. The invoice also includes itemized VAT.
Insurance and write-off auctions. Vehicles declared a total loss by insurance companies. The entry price can be very low, but the risk is high: many require expensive repairs, some have structural damage that makes them unfeasible for subsequent sale as roadworthy vehicles, and the documentation may present complications. These are operations for profiles with their own body shop and specific technical knowledge.
Judicial and administrative auctions. Seized, confiscated vehicles or vehicles owned by public administrations that are liquidated by judicial or administrative order. The process is slower, the documentation may have issues and access requires meeting specific requirements. It is not the most efficient channel for regularly sourcing stock.
Private seller auctions (mixed platforms). Some online platforms allow private individuals to auction their vehicles. The tax treatment in the purchase is that of a purchase from a private seller (no VAT), which allows applying REBU on resale. The drawback is that the information on the vehicle's condition is usually less reliable than in professional auctions.
Main professional auction platforms in Spain
The professional vehicle auction market in Spain is relatively concentrated in a few platforms with a national presence. These are the most relevant for a used car dealership:
BCA (British Car Auctions). It is the largest professional vehicle auction network in Europe and has facilities in Spain. It works mainly with stock from leasing, fleets and manufacturers. It operates both in physical format (with physical centers where vehicles can be inspected) and online. It requires prior registration as a professional buyer.
Autorola. Online B2B auction platform with a presence in several European countries. Specialized in corporate fleets and company vehicles. It allows participation from anywhere with internet access and offers detailed spec sheets with photos and description of the vehicle's condition. Useful for accessing stock from other European markets if the import profile fits the business.
Manheim. Operated by Cox Automotive, it has a presence in Spain and works with stock from leasing, fleets and official dealerships. Mixed physical and online format.
ALD Carmarket / LeasePlan Exchange / Arval. Leasing companies themselves have their own or semi-private platforms to liquidate their stock at the end of contracts. Accessing these platforms directly, without intermediaries, usually offers better conditions than buying in generic auctions where the leasing stock has already passed through several filters.
Copart. Specialized in write-offs and salvage vehicles. For dealerships without their own workshop or without specific knowledge in repairing serious damage, it is not the most suitable channel for conventional sales stock.
To compare how auctions perform against other acquisition channels in terms of real margin, you can check the article on car auctions vs leasing: which yields more margin.
How to calculate the maximum bid price before entering
This is the step that most dealerships skip or do imprecisely, and it is the one that has the most impact on the profitability of each transaction. Before entering an auction, every vehicle that interests you must have its maximum bid price calculated. Exceeding it, even by €200, can turn a profitable deal into one with insufficient margin.
The starting formula is:
Maximum bid price = Expected sale price − Preparation costs − Marketing costs − Target margin
Each term requires realistic estimates:
Expected sale price. Check market prices for that model, year, mileage and equipment on the portals where you are going to sell it. Do not use the highest price that appears in the market, use the median of active listings for similar cars. Tools like the Coches.net price report, AutoScout24 or market data integrated into management platforms give you an objective reference.
Preparation costs. Includes: deep cleaning, necessary repairs for sale, MOT if expired, professional photography and any setup expenses. For a leasing vehicle in good general condition, estimate between €300 and €600. For one with visible damage or high mileage, it can exceed €1,000.
Marketing costs. Portal listings, commissions if you use a DealConnect or similar, and the cost of time in stock (every day the car is not sold has a cost of tied-up capital). If your average rotation is 45 days and you have a financial cost of stock, include it.
Target margin. Define the minimum margin you need per operation for the channel to be profitable. For vehicles between €8,000 and €15,000, a net margin of €800-€1,200 per operation is a reasonable target in auctions. You can review how to calculate gross and net margins accurately in the guide on margin on second-hand cars.
Once that maximum price is calculated, write it down before entering the auction and do not budge. The auction dynamics generate pressure to exceed the limit at the last moment. Dealerships that maintain discipline with the maximum price are the ones that maintain margins.
What to check before bidding: documentation and vehicle condition
In physical auctions you have the possibility to inspect the vehicles before the session. In online auctions you have to work with the vehicle data sheet, photos and, in some cases, standardized status reports. In both cases, there are minimum points to check before bidding.
Documentation. Verify that the vehicle has a valid registration certificate, that it has no outstanding charges or seizures and that the MOT is valid or at least you know its expiry date. A DGT report before bidding avoids surprises with the transfer process. To see what buying a car with a seizure or charges involves, you can consult the guide on how to remove a seizure from a car.
History. The number of previous owners, the mileage recorded in MOT inspections and whether the vehicle has been in an accident are the data that most condition the price at which you can sell it. A car with four owners in five years or with an accident recorded in its history will have a lower market price even if its visible condition is good.
Mechanical condition. In physical auctions, a basic 10-15 minute inspection covers: cold start, condition of tires and brakes, fluid levels, dashboard indicators and visible signs of bumps or repairs. For high-priced vehicles or those with high mileage, it is worth visiting the workshop before bidding if the auction allows it.
Equipment. Verify that the equipment advertised on the data sheet is indeed in the vehicle (keys, manuals, floor mats, spare wheel). Discrepancies between the data sheet and the actual status are common and difficult to claim once the lot has been awarded.
For a complete review of what to check on each vehicle before buying, you can review the guide on what to look for before bidding in a professional car auction.
Real costs of an auction purchase: beyond the hammer price
The hammer price is just the starting point. An auction purchase has additional costs that, if not included in the prior calculation, reduce the real margin of the operation.
Buyer's fee. Most platforms charge the buyer a fee on the hammer price. It can be between 2% and 5% depending on the platform and the agreement. At BCA, for example, there are fee tables based on the price of the vehicle. This cost is fixed and unavoidable and must be in the calculation of the maximum bid price.
Transport. If the vehicle is in an auction center 300 km away from your dealership, transport has a cost. Vehicle transport companies charge between €150 and €400 for national delivery depending on the distance. If you buy in volume, it is possible to negotiate rates or group transport.
Preparation and repairs. Already included in the maximum price calculation, but it is the cost most often underestimated. The difference between the condition described on the data sheet and the actual condition can mean an additional €200-€500 in many cases.
Taxes. If the vehicle is purchased with VAT (leasing, fleets, official dealerships), you can deduct that VAT in your tax return. If it is bought without VAT (auctions from private sellers or judicial auctions), there is no VAT to deduct but you can apply REBU on resale. Under no circumstances does a professional dealership pay ITP (Property Transfer Tax) on the purchase: ITP is a tax for private buyers, not for professionals in the sector.
Tax regime for cars bought at auction
The tax treatment of the purchase depends on who acts as the seller in the auction.
If the auctioneer acts as an intermediary between the original owner (leasing company, fleet) and the buying dealership, and issues an invoice with itemized VAT, you can deduct that VAT but on resale you must apply the general scheme.
If the auctioneer acts as a direct seller under REBU (by having bought the vehicles itself from private sellers or having acquired them under conditions that allow it), the invoice does not carry itemized VAT and you can apply REBU on resale.
In practice, the way to know is always the same: check the purchase invoice. If it has itemized VAT, general scheme on resale. If it does not, REBU. Trying to apply REBU on the resale of a car whose purchase carried itemized VAT is one of the most common tax errors and one of the most costly in an inspection. To go deeper into this point, you can consult the complete REBU guide for dealerships.
Common errors when buying at auctions and how to avoid them
Bidding without having calculated the maximum price. Entering an auction "to see what comes up" and deciding on the fly how far to go is the fastest way to buy expensive. The maximum price is calculated beforehand, with market data, and is not modified during the bidding.
Not including the buyer's fee in the calculation. If you calculate the maximum price on the hammer price without including the fee, you are paying between 2% and 5% more than you planned on each deal.
Buying by volume without evaluating each vehicle individually. The temptation to win several lots in the same session leads to buying vehicles that do not meet the minimum profitability criteria. Each car has its own maximum price; there is no single lot price that works for everyone.
Not verifying the documentation before bidding. Buying a vehicle with an active seizure, with an expired MOT or with pending sanctions that block the transfer generates costs and delays that were not in the initial calculation. Requesting the DGT report before bidding is the €8.67 investment that yields the highest return per transaction.
Ignoring the cost of transport. For a dealership in Barcelona buying at an auction center in Madrid, transport can add €200-€300 to the cost of each vehicle. If that cost is not in the maximum bid price, the margin is eroded without any visible error in the transaction.
To see the most common mistakes in detail with concrete examples of how they affect the margin, you can consult the article on mistakes when buying cars at auction.
More than 750 dealerships already use Dealcar to manage their daily operations
When you buy at auction, the vehicle enters the stock with an invoice, a history and preparation costs that need to be correctly registered from day one. Dealcar allows you to register the vehicle in stock with all its data, link the purchase invoice and associated costs, check the DGT report directly from the file and track the real margin of each operation as it progresses.
If you want to see how it works, you can schedule a free demo at dealcar.io.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be a professional to buy at car auctions?
Most professional auctions (BCA, Autorola, Manheim) require the buyer to be a professional in the sector with registered economic activity. Access for private individuals is limited or directly prohibited. Some platforms request supporting documentation (registration in the IAE, company tax code/CIF) for registration.
Can I return a car if it has problems after the auction?
Generally, no. Professional auctions are conducted on a "sold as seen" basis: the buyer accepts the condition of the vehicle at the time of the sale. Some platforms offer limited guarantees on declared data (mileage, accident history), but discrepancies between the described and actual condition are difficult to claim once the purchase is completed. Pre-bid inspection is the only real protection.
How do I know if the winning bid price was good or not?
The reference is the market price for that specific vehicle on the channel where you are going to sell it. If you win a vehicle for €7,000 and the expected retail price on a portal is €10,000, you have €3,000 of gross margin to cover preparation, marketing and net margin. If you win it for €8,500, the gross margin drops to €1,500 and may not cover costs. The winning bid price is only good or bad in relation to the selling price and the costs of the transaction.
Are online auctions as reliable as physical ones?
It depends on the platform. Online auctions by professional operators (BCA Online, Autorola) have description and photography standards that allow for informed decisions. The risk is that you cannot perform a physical inspection before bidding. For high-priced vehicles or those with specific characteristics, a physical auction or a commissioned inspection service is safer. For standard profile and mid-price vehicles, online platforms work well if the operator has a good reputation.
How long does it take to complete the transfer of a car bought at auction?
It depends on the administrative status of the vehicle and whether the management is done by the auction house or you handle it directly. Under normal conditions, between 5 and 15 business days. If the vehicle has an administrative issue (pending charge, expired MOT), the period is extended. Some platforms offer transfer management services included in the buyer's fee.
