Where do the vehicles offered at auction come from?
Contrary to popular opinion, repossessions and vehicles originating from official receiverships represent a very small share of our business. Most of the vehicles that we auction come from France and are sourced from:
Long-term rental companies
Loan and financing companies
Automotive manufacturers and their distribution networks
Major fleets (civil service, renewal of fleets, etc.)
These companies use our services in order to quickly sell off large quantities of vehicles.
How can you find out about the vehicles before their acquisition?
A detailed presentation of each vehicle is given on our site in the All our vehicles section where you can view many photos, the results of the technical inspection and the specific features of the vehicles.
Prior to each physical auction, a viewing is organised during which our teams are at your disposal to answer any of your questions and give you advice.
A list showing all the characteristics of the vehicles is also available at the reception of each auction centre.
Do the photos really reflect the condition of the vehicle?
At Alcopa Auction the trust of our customers is a priority, so we ensure the transparency of the information provided on all our vehicles. Thanks to the many commercial photos that accompany each description sheet, you will have the opportunity to appreciate the general interior and exterior condition of the vehicles, but also the options, equipment or any other specificities.
How is an on-site auction run?
The auctioneer leads the on-site auction. The vehicles are paraded one after the other in the order drawn up beforehand on the list that is available at the reception of the auction centres. The auctioneer presents the vehicles one by one to the public, providing information about the technical and administrative features of each vehicle. Once the car is awarded, the bidder will show a valid official proof of identity made out to his name as well as a bank card used for each awarded car’s deposit.
If you cannot attend the auction, you can simply instruct Alcopa Auction to issue an max bid in your name.
How do you make a purchase at an online auction?
Every day, Alcopa Auction organises at least one online auction. At your leisure, from your computer, you can consult every detail of each vehicle, bid and monitor your auction in real time and acquire the vehicle of your choice with just a few clicks of the mouse.
To find out more about the online auctions, check out How to place an online bid.
What guarantees are there?
At Alcopa Auction, a 3-month warranty (4 months for automotive businesses) is provided with the purchase at auction of any used vehicle that is less than 5 years old and has less than 150,000 km and less than 250 HP with an opening bid of more than €3000.
For more details check out our Our Services: Warranty section.
In addition, many vehicles are still under the manufacturer's warranty; the latter is announced on the viewing posters as well as on the vehicle data sheet available online. Other vehicles may be eligible under this warranty, so feel free to inquire from the representative of the make.
How much time do I have to collect the vehicle?
As soon as the payment has been settled, the vehicle is immediately available for collection. The original administrative documents (registration document, etc.) are also provided as soon as the payment has been settled. A temporary insurance policy can be provided so that you can immediately drive away with the vehicle. Check out the Our Services: Insurance section.
Does Alcopa Auction offer a transport service?
In some cases, Alcopa Auction offers a delivery service. For more information, check out the Our Services: Delivery section.
How is the starting price set?
The starting price of the used car is set according to the book price of the vehicle, the price as new, its general condition, its mileage and the sales history of comparable vehicles.
What documents do I need to be able to purchase? Is there a deposit to be paid?
In order to place bids on the day of the auction, you must have some proof of identity with you (identity card or passport in your name) and a deposit (bank card) of at least €600.
Can the vehicles be purchased before or after the auction?
No, all the vehicles that we present at auction are sold within the framework of the public auctions and are sold to the highest bidder. No vehicle can therefore be purchased before or after the auction.
Is it possible to get a good deal by buying a vehicle at auction?
By comparing our prices, you will see for yourself that there are some significant price differences.
Do you need to be familiar with automotive auctions in order to buy a vehicle at auction?
No. Our auctions are public, i.e. they are open to all buyers, whether they are individuals, craftsmen, automotive traders or dealers. To buy at auction, you do not need to be a specialist in used cars. You simply need to inform yourself about the vehicle(s) that you are planning to purchase.
All our auctions are preceded by a public viewing during which you can examine every detail of each vehicle.
Our team is at your disposal to give you advice about your purchase, open the vehicles for you and start up the engines.
Can you test drive the vehicles?
You cannot test drive the vehicles. However, all vehicles have undergone a technical inspection and can be opened on request in order to check out the engine.
Can the VAT be recovered for exports?
Some vehicles are sold with the VAT included in the hammer price as mentioned on the vehicles' identification forms (VAT: yes). Once the vehicle has been exported in accordance with French legislation, you can obtain the refund of the VAT by submitting the following documents within three months of the date of the sale:
Export declaration (Ex1) referring to the EXIT ECS
