Ritchie Bros. auction Europe: buying heavy equipment with turnkey delivery
Ritchie Bros. is one of the most well-known operators of public heavy equipment auctions. The company operates in an unreserved format: no minimum bids and no reserve price. This matters. The price is formed solely by participant bids, and the lot goes to whoever bids the highest at the time of closing.
The platform is suited for those buying excavators, loaders, tractors, trailers and other equipment for construction, logistics, agriculture or resale. The key is to approach the purchase as a project: lot verification, full cost calculation, export plan. Then the auction truly delivers good economics.
What is the Ritchie Bros. auction in Europe
In Europe, Ritchie Bros. has major auction sites in various countries. Well-known locations include:
Bidding takes place both on-site and online. Registration is usually free, but to participate in bidding they may require identity verification and a refundable deposit.
How the bidding works
Ritchie Bros. sells equipment in a public auction format. Lots are sold "as is" and "where is" — the buyer assesses the condition based on the description, photos and inspection results.
There are two practical rules:
Therefore you cannot enter the auction with the mindset of "I'll try bidding and see what happens". It's better to set a limit in advance and stay within your calculations.
Ritchie Bros. equipment: what you can buy
Auctions typically feature:
Each lot has a listing card: description, photos, often video, sometimes reports or defect notes. This is not a guarantee of perfect condition, but it's enough to make a decision if you have experience or arrange a proper on-site inspection.
- Construction equipment: excavators, loaders, bulldozers, mobile cranes.
- Road equipment: rollers, asphalt pavers, milling machines.
- Agricultural equipment: tractors, combine harvesters, attachments.
- Commercial vehicles: truck tractors, dump trucks, tankers, vans.
- Trailers and semi-trailers.
- Warehouse equipment and aerial platforms.
How to participate in Ritchie Bros: step-by-step guide
Registration
Create an account, verify your details and upload documents if required for your participation type (online or on-site).
Limit and deposit
For Europe, the deposit is usually refundable and often calculated as 25% of your planned purchase amount or EUR 10,000 (whichever is greater). Specific conditions depend on the site, participation format and your bidding history.
Lot selection and calculation
Before bidding, it's important to calculate not only the "hammer price" but everything on top: buyer's premium (transaction fee), VAT and tax nuances, storage (if you delay collection), loading, recovery, special transport, delivery to your country and document processing.
Inspection
If possible — inspect the equipment on-site before bidding. For heavy equipment this is critical: leaks, play in joints, hydraulics, tyre condition, attachment wear, engine start-up. Photos don't always convey reality.
Bidding
Participate online or on-site. Bid strictly within your limit. If you win — proceed to payment.
Payment and release
Purchases usually need to be paid within 7 days after the auction ends. Cash is generally not accepted. Equipment is released only after the invoice is paid in full.
Collection
After payment, you arrange collection from the site: with your own carrier or through logistics that an intermediary can help arrange. For oversized loads, low-loaders, permits, routes and loading are prepared in advance.
Delivering Ritchie Bros. equipment to the CIS
Delivery almost always consists of two parts:
For heavy equipment the key factor is dimensions and weight. An excavator on a low-loader and a forklift on a car transporter — these are two different logistics operations and two different prices. That's why calculations are made for a specific lot, not "market averages".
- Intra-European stage — Collection from the auction site and transport to a warehouse, border or port.
- Onward transit — Transport and customs clearance in the destination country.
Ritchie Bros. reviews: what to keep in mind
Buyers appreciate the transparent unreserved format — no reserves and no "games" with minimum prices. But there are nuances that cannot be ignored:
If you accept all this upfront, rather than "finding out after winning", the auction works well and predictably.
- Equipment is sold "as is", without warranty.
- Returns are generally not available.
- Responsibility for inspection and condition assessment lies with the buyer.
- The final cost is almost always higher than the bid due to commissions and logistics.
Why WESTMOTORS is the right partner for buying at Ritchie Bros.
WESTMOTORS handles the deal turnkey — from lot selection to delivery to your region:
Equipment selection
We select equipment matching your task and budget, filtering out problematic options based on the listing and sale conditions.
Inspection and assessment
We arrange an inspection and preliminary condition assessment before bidding.
Full cost calculation
We calculate the full cost before bidding: price, commissions, taxes, loading, transport, documents.
Bidding participation
We participate in bidding on your behalf and control the limit.
Payment and delivery
We arrange payment, collection, export document preparation and delivery.
Full support
We support the deal until you receive the equipment in your country.
Conclusion
Ritchie Bros. in Europe is a straightforward and strict heavy equipment auction: unreserved bidding, binding bids, timely payment and release only after the invoice is settled. If you approach the purchase with proper calculations and inspection, you can buy equipment profitably and without surprises.
WESTMOTORS helps you through the entire process turnkey — from lot selection to delivery and documentation.
Want a selection of current lots with a delivery estimate? Contact WESTMOTORS — we'll prepare options and show you the final cost breakdown before you participate in bidding.
Ritchie Bros. in Europe is a straightforward and strict heavy equipment auction: unreserved bidding, binding bids, timely payment and release only after the invoice is settled. If you approach the purchase with proper calculations and inspection, you can buy equipment profitably and without surprises.
WESTMOTORS helps you through the entire process turnkey — from lot selection to delivery and documentation.
Want a selection of current lots with a delivery estimate? Contact WESTMOTORS — we'll prepare options and show you the final cost breakdown before you participate in bidding.
Expert Consultation
We'll call back within 1 minute and tell you about the best lots. We'll select the best options for your budget.