CarOutlet Europe: How to Buy Used Cars and Arrange Delivery
CarOutlet is not a "classifieds listing" but an auction platform for vehicle resale. The website states it directly: "CarOutlet.eu is a car auction".
If you have previously bought cars on AutoScout24 or similar platforms, the process here is different. You don't "call the seller and negotiate" — you place a bid at auction. Then you wait for the supplier's decision (often a leasing company), place the order, pay the invoice, receive the release documents, and pick up the car or arrange delivery. This entire process is described step by step on CarOutlet's "How to Buy" page.
What Is CarOutlet Europe
According to the terms and description on the website, CarOutlet is designed as a vehicle resale platform where leasing companies, manufacturers, and other suppliers list vehicles for sale, while professional dealers submit purchase offers. CarOutlet acts as an intermediary between the supplier and the buyer.
Here are some practical details visible directly on the website:
- The platform clearly shows that these are auctions, and separately highlights "Buy now" for some lots (a fixed price without waiting for the bidding to end).
- On its homepage, CarOutlet advertises its commission model: "€100 + 1% of the purchase price", as well as free registration and participation.
- In the "country of origin" filters, examples include countries such as Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Romania, Switzerland, and Luxembourg (the selection may change, but this geography is present on the website).
Who CarOutlet Is For — and Who It Isn't
This is a key point that should not be overlooked.
CarOutlet's "General Terms and Conditions" explicitly state that services are offered exclusively to entrepreneurs (B2B, "business to business"), meaning the platform is designed for professional market participants, not private buyers.
There is an even stricter restriction regarding exports: the "General Terms and Conditions" state that vehicles sold through the company may under no circumstances be exported to Russia or Belarus.
How Bidding Works on CarOutlet
CarOutlet is all about bids and procedures. On the "How to Buy" page, the process looks like this:
Another important detail from the "General Terms and Conditions": the buyer is warned in advance that they have no right to withdraw their bid. This is psychologically important — "I bid and changed my mind" does not work here the way it does on consumer platforms.
Choose a Vehicle
You select a vehicle using filters or through the auction listings.
Place a Bid
You place a bid. If your bid is the highest, the lot moves to a pending status awaiting the supplier's decision, and the bid is sent to the supplier (e.g., a leasing company).
Supplier's Decision
The supplier has 3 business days to either agree to sell the vehicle at your price or decline.
Place the Order
If the supplier agrees, you place the order. You have one business day to do so (this deadline is also specified in the "General Terms and Conditions").
Payment
You pay the invoice. The "How to Buy" page specifies a deadline of 2 business days.
Documents and Release
You receive the release documents. If you pick up the car yourself, you need a Pick Up document; if a carrier collects it, you need both Pick Up and CMR documents.
Vehicle Registration Document
There is separate logic for the vehicle registration document: if it was not issued at the time of vehicle handover, you upload a document confirming delivery to the destination, after which CarOutlet sends the registration document by mail.
Commissions, Fees, and VAT: What Is Actually Added to the Price
On the CarOutlet homepage, you will see the marketing commission formula "€100 + 1%". However, the "General Terms and Conditions" describe a broader cost structure:
To simplify it into a practical rule: the final cost should be assessed not by the "bid price" alone, but by the calculation in the order form, where all payments and fees are consolidated.
- There is an "auction fee" (administrative costs) and a "regional fee" (an administrative and logistics fee that depends on the country where the car is sold or where the deal is concluded).
- The order form specifies the bid amount, fees, delivery costs, and other expenses in advance, and may also include a deposit amount (if applicable to the specific transaction).
- There are separate VAT conditions for intra-EU supplies and exports, plus a described "triangular scheme" (ABC) for VAT calculations on deliveries to legal entities within the EU.
CarOutlet Delivery: How It Works and Why You Cannot Pick Up Directly from the Supplier
CarOutlet has an important release policy: the FAQ states that you cannot collect the car directly from the supplier. CarOutlet picks up the vehicle from the supplier and hands it over to the buyer, because it acts as a broker and assumes responsibility on behalf of the buyer for the car purchased at auction.
That said, there are still options for receiving the vehicle:
A basic point mentioned separately in the FAQ that many people overlook: vehicles "at auction" are not customs-cleared, and all customs duties are paid by the buyer.
- Delivery arranged by CarOutlet (cost is confirmed through the logistics department).
- Release through your own transport company — with PickUp paperwork and documents sent to logistics at least 24 hours in advance.
- Self-collection from the CarOutlet logistics center (as an option), plus additional services for a separate fee: transit plates, insurance, export declaration filing, and vehicle inspection.
What to Check Before Bidding: A Quick Checklist
Before placing a bid on CarOutlet, make sure to check:
- Whether the platform suits your status: you are an entrepreneur/dealer and can complete the registration.
- Destination country: if the final export is to Russia or Belarus, this is prohibited under CarOutlet's terms.
- You understand the format: bids cannot be withdrawn.
- You calculate the final cost based on the order form, not the "attractive price" on the listing card.
- You have planned logistics in advance: CarOutlet delivery or your own carrier (PickUp/CMR and timelines).
How WESTMOTORS Can Help with CarOutlet
Here is an honest framework: CarOutlet is a B2B platform, and if a client does not have their own dealer account or company, the purchase is typically made through an intermediary.
In this scenario, WESTMOTORS can handle the practical aspects:
The platform's rules include export restrictions. Before purchasing, it is important to verify whether the specific lot can be exported to your country and by which route it can be delivered. This affects vehicle selection and the final cost.
- Select lots matching your criteria and immediately filter out "questionable" ones based on the listing and documents.
- Calculate the full cost including fees and delivery (based on the order form data).
- Arrange the purchase and handle logistics/documents along a route that complies with the platform's rules.
How WESTMOTORS Helps You Buy a Car Through CarOutlet
WESTMOTORS helps you buy a vehicle on CarOutlet and arrange delivery:
Lot Selection
We select lots taking into account the platform's conditions and export restrictions.
Cost Calculation
We calculate the total cost: price, fees, logistics, and documentation.
Purchase and Delivery
We arrange the purchase, vehicle collection, and delivery along your chosen route.
Full Support
We handle all documentation until the moment you receive the vehicle.
Conclusion
CarOutlet Europe is an auction for professionals, where the main suppliers are leasing companies and other large fleet owners, and the purchase follows a set procedure: bid — supplier's decision — order — payment — release — documents.
The platform advertises low commissions and free registration, offers delivery options and additional services (export declaration, insurance, transit plates, inspection) — but strictly prohibits exports to Russia and Belarus.
Submit a request — we will find available options and provide a delivery cost estimate before you buy.
CarOutlet Europe is an auction for professionals, where the main suppliers are leasing companies and other large fleet owners, and the purchase follows a set procedure: bid — supplier's decision — order — payment — release — documents.
The platform advertises low commissions and free registration, offers delivery options and additional services (export declaration, insurance, transit plates, inspection) — but strictly prohibits exports to Russia and Belarus.
Submit a request — we will find available options and provide a delivery cost estimate before you buy.
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