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Buying

  • 'Try before you buy' - fully inspect and test-drive any car you're interested in prior to bidding.
  • Commission an independent condition report if required.
  • No fee charged to attend the auction.
  • Bid online at any point over the weekend from wherever you like, or simply come along to the auction venue and bid in person if you prefer.

Buy through Berlinetta

Our aim is to simply take the guesswork out of buying a classic car at auction. Current auction houses generally offer static displays only, which we’d argue is similar to buying a house without the ability to have it surveyed first.

Fees

It costs nothing to register to bid, and neither is there a charge to attend the event. There's no catalogue to buy as we don't produce one as such - although printed descriptions for all the cars will be available on site.

All we charge buyers is a competitive 10% premium (plus VAT) on the hammer price.

Before the sale

Keep an eye on the website, or sign up to receive our newsletter or consignment alerts to be kept fully up to date with what's coming up in our next event - our sales happen every quarter and feature up to 40 cars at a time.

Make up your Shortlist
When you see a lot that interests you, simply register with us for that sale via our website or over the phone, after which you'll be able to add any car to your shortlist of favourites.

Arrange an inspection
You can either just turn up on the day and book an inspection slot at our offices in the hotel, or you can be sure of securing a slot that suits you by booking in advance via our online diary service. To do this, log on the the website and click 'book an inspection'.

A condition report can also be obtained on any car by making a prior arrangement through us. We use a number of independent specialists, or can arrange to have the car looked at by the person of your choice. Please allow at least 10 working days before the sale if you’d like us to set this up.

At the sale

Plan your visit at a time to suit you, and according to any inspection bookings you’ve made. You’ll be shown around the car, will be able to put it up on inspection ramps if required, and in most instances will be able to go out for a test drive on the local roads (race cars excepted – best to avoid 917 mixed with B4027).

Relax
Once you're happy with your research you can then retire to the designated buyers and sellers lounge within the hotel to enjoy a complimentary drink or other refreshments whilst you consider your options or mull things over further.

Bidding
You will be able to bid on any car at any point over the two days of the sale. The auction starts at 9am on the Sunday and closes from 5pm that evening with two minute intervals between each lot. So, lot 1 will close at 5pm, lot 2 at 5:02pm, lot 3 at 5:06pm and so on.. Should any bids be placed in the last two minutes of any auction then two more minutes will be added to the clock. This process will repeat until such a time as there is no bidding activity at all in the last two minutes of the sale. This is to combat last minute 'bidnapping' or 'sniping' and allows everyone a fair chance to make their bids with plenty of clear thinking time.

You can use your phone, tablet or laptop, or one of the bidding stations we'll have set up at the hotel - or you can of course simply ask one of our staff to place bids for you. There's no need to be on site to bid - you can visit the hotel anytime over the sale period and then return home to bid from the comfort of your own armchair if you so desire.

Alerts
You'll receive text alerts to tell you if you've been outbid, when the car reaches it's reserve (if applicable) and when the lot is about to close.

After the Sale

Payment
If your bid is successful then the full purchase price including the 10% premium (plus VAT, which is due on the premium only) will be due by 5pm on the Monday following the sale.

Payment can be made via bankers draft, bank transfer, debit or credit card, although there will be a 1.37% surcharge for the latter.

Payment by cheque is available by special arrangement, but please bear in mind that no lots can be released until funds have cleared in full, and transport / storage charges will apply whilst your cheque clears.

Sorry, we cannot accept cash payments.

Finance, Insurance and Transport

Specialists in these areas will be available on site at all times over the weekend to help with the logistical side of your purchase if required.

Please call us for more information, or simply register to bid here.

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