AUTO1.com: How to Buy Used Cars via the B2B Platform for Dealers
AUTO1.com is a platform for professional market participants, not an "auction for everyone." The website directly positions its service as Europe's largest wholesale platform for selling used cars and states that it works with over 60,000 partners across more than 30 European countries, with typically over 30,000 inspected vehicles in stock.
If you are a private buyer, registering and purchasing as an individual is usually not possible: under the platform's terms of sale, vehicles can only be purchased by registered dealers.
AUTO1.com: What Is This Platform and How Does It Differ from "Regular" Auctions
AUTO1 Group operates several business lines, and AUTO1.com is specifically a B2B marketplace for dealers. The group also has a retail arm (Autohero), where the company describes a standard "retail" package including inspection at their own centers and a 21-day return guarantee, but that is a separate brand and a separate purchasing model.
In terms of infrastructure, AUTO1 Group claims operations in 30+ countries and a logistics network with 150+ logistics centers, 300+ logistics partners, and 600+ pick-up/drop-off locations. This is an important aspect because in B2B car trading, "buying" is only half the job — transport and paperwork come next.
How the AUTO1 Auction Works in Practice
AUTO1.com has two core activities: buying and selling.
Buying
On its "buy" page, AUTO1.com states that you can search for vehicles and place bids, including via their mobile app. It also claims: 24/7 availability, no "hidden fees," no minimum purchase volume, and that 3,000+ vehicles are added daily.
Selling (If You Are a Dealer Looking to List Your Cars)
On its "sell" page, AUTO1.com describes 24-hour auctions and the "single contractual partner" model: after the auction, AUTO1.com buys the car from the seller and sells it to the buyer, handling the entire transaction. The FAQ section also states that there is no subscription, and paid services only arise when, for example, transport is additionally booked.
Another point often overlooked: AUTO1.com has a price negotiation feature through counter-offers. The company described the mechanism as follows: if a bid at auction is below the seller's expected price, the seller can send a counter-offer to the highest bidder, who can then respond.
Registration on AUTO1.com: Who Can Get Access
The key filter is simple: under the platform's rules, buyers must be registered dealers. This is stipulated in the terms of sale.
The terms also include a practical detail that is often forgotten: dealers are required to keep their account information up to date, including their VAT-ID.
How to Buy a Car from AUTO1.com: Step-by-Step Guide
The purchasing process on AUTO1.com consists of several stages.
Search and Select Lots
AUTO1.com emphasizes "inspected cars" and condition documentation. On the service's pages, this is presented as "reliable documentation of car conditions," and stock access is promised immediately after registration. In plain terms: you don't have to guess "perfect or not" from a single photo. The lot listing should be read as a document: photos, condition notes, and terms of sale.
Bid or Buy
On the purchasing page, AUTO1.com explicitly states "place bids." There is also a scenario where the seller can send a counter-offer, which sometimes saves deals that were "just a little short."
Payment
The terms of sale state that the dealer must pay the full price without deductions, and payment details are recorded in the purchase confirmation. It also states that the payment deadline begins immediately upon conclusion of the used car purchase agreement.
Transport and Documentation
On its main page, AUTO1.com claims to handle the "whole B2B transaction," including transport, vehicle processing, and documentation. At the same time, based on their own materials, paid services may depend on what you additionally book (for example, transport).
Quality and "Vehicle History": What to Expect Without Illusions
AUTO1.com talks a lot about "inspected" vehicles and condition documentation. This is useful, but it's important to keep a clear head: "inspected" is not a promise of a perfect car — it means the condition has been recorded and reflected in the listing.
Service history "like a dealer VIN check" depends on the specific lot and seller. Some will have it, some won't. The safest approach is to assume that what matters is exactly what is in the listing and the transaction documents, not the general statements on the main page.
How WESTMOTORS Helps You Buy a Car Through AUTO1.com
WESTMOTORS arranges the purchase on AUTO1.com and delivery:
Selection
We select vehicles matching your criteria and review the lot listings.
Cost Calculation
We calculate the total cost before purchase: price, commissions, logistics, and documentation.
Purchase
We buy through professional access and oversee payment and vehicle release.
Delivery and Documentation
We arrange vehicle pick-up and delivery along your chosen route. We handle all paperwork until the moment you receive the car.
Summary
AUTO1.com is a B2B tool for dealers with a large stock and regular arrivals (the company's materials cite 30,000+ vehicles in stock and 3,000+ added daily), plus logistics and document processing as part of the workflow.
AUTO1.com is a B2B platform for dealers. For a private buyer, the typical scenario is: find a lot, purchase it through a company with platform access, and then arrange logistics and paperwork for the destination country. This makes it easier to keep payment, release timelines, and total cost under control.
AUTO1.com is a B2B tool for dealers with a large stock and regular arrivals (the company's materials cite 30,000+ vehicles in stock and 3,000+ added daily), plus logistics and document processing as part of the workflow.
AUTO1.com is a B2B platform for dealers. For a private buyer, the typical scenario is: find a lot, purchase it through a company with platform access, and then arrange logistics and paperwork for the destination country. This makes it easier to keep payment, release timelines, and total cost under control.
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