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5 Best Car Auction Houses in Brisbane

5 Best Car Auction Houses in Brisbane

Vehicle Selection: It will be good to visit car auctions with a myriad of vehicle choices of all types and makes, so we included companies that offer a multitude of options. 
 
Services: It’s a plus to have other services such as opportunities to sell your car, vehicle test drives, and more. 
 
Quality Check: It can be expected that vehicles won’t be in mint condition so it’s important to ensure that it can be safely driven before purchasing and the car auction should be transparent about parts that need to be fixed. 
 
Customer Service: Good customer service is always a huge plus so we asked customers about their experience with the car auction staff. 

1. Central Auto Auctions

Central Auto Auctions

Vehicle Selection: Audi, BMW, Ford, Holden, Honda, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, etc. 

Website: https://www.centralautoauctions.com.au/

Address: 171 Fison Ave W, Eagle Farm QLD 4009, Australia

Contact Details: (07) 3630 1999

Business Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8:00am – 4:30pm

                             Friday, 8:00am – 3:30pm

Google reviews score4.7/5
Facebook reviews score0/5
Total reviews4.9/5
Score consistency5/5
Vehicle Selection4.8/5
Services4.8/5
Quality Check4.5/5
Customer Service4.8/5

Pros

  • Has been in business since 1977
  • Stress-free process for selling cars
  • Auctions are simulcasted to registered dealers

Cons

  • Some vehicle reports may not be accurate
  • Early closing time

We chose Central Auto Auctions as one of the best car auction companies in Brisbane because it’s the most highly rated car auction house in the city and has been a top choice in Queensland since 1977. 

They have a wide selection of vehicles to choose from which comes with a detailed report about its current condition, which is very critical for buyers so they’ll be able to inspect the units thoroughly. 

Vehicles are available for viewing Mondays to Fridays while auctions are held every Wednesday at 12 noon. Auctions can also be simulcasted to registered dealers wherein they can bid real-time. 

They also have a wide selection of brands in stock such as Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, and a whole lot more. 

From what we’ve heard, many clients have been purchasing cars from Central Auto Auctions for years and choose to come back because of the great customer service and trust. 

And if you’re looking to sell your car, it’s very convenient that you have an option to get a free estimate through their website. There are also a lot of clients who choose to sell their cars here because of the quick and hassle-free process. 

However, we heard that some vehicle reports aren’t very accurate and not all issues are disclosed. So it’s best to have a rigorous inspection of the vehicle from inside out before purchasing. 

2. Pickles Brendale

Pickles Brendale

Vehicle Selection: Ex-military Vehicle Auctions, Luxury Prestige & Classic Cars, Trucks, Caravans, Government Vehicles, Mining 

Website: https://www.pickles.com.au/About/Locations/Brendale

Address: 14 Tapnor Crescent Brendale QLD 4500              

Contact Details: [email protected] / +61 7 3632 9400 

Business Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm

Google reviews score3.6/5
Facebook reviews score0/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency4.7/5
Vehicle Selection5/5
Services4.8/5
Quality Check4.6/5
Customer Service4.4/5

Pros

  • Auctions available for all types of vehicles including commercial, industrial, and utility units
  • Has an option to bid online

Cons

  • Customer service across branches might not be consistent
  • No disclosure if reserve price has been reached which resulted to some misunderstandings with winning bidders

We included Pickles on our list because it has an extensive array of vehicles which is not limited to passenger cars, but commercial, industrial, and utility vehicles as well. 

Included in their auctions are ex-military vehicles, luxury and classic cars, caravans, trucks, government fleets, and even mining machinery. 

It has 3 locations in Brisbane and the Brendale branch is the highest rated one as we heard that customer service is better than other locations. 

It has 28 locations across Australia as well, which is great. But the problem is, the level of service might not be consistent across all branches. 

But good news for those always looking for auction opportunities because they hold more than 150 auctions across the country every month. Motor vehicle auctions are held weekly, while industrial auctions are held monthly. 

And we like that apart from bidding onsite, you can also have the option to bid online in real-time as well.

However, we heard about some concerns that some successful bidders didn’t get to acquire the car because they weren’t able to meet the reserve price. 

The auctioneers weren’t clear about this so it resulted in confusion and disappointment from eager bidders. We just wish that they would inform bidders about it before bringing down the hammer. 

3. City Motor Auction Group

City Motor Auction Group

Vehicle Selection: Sedans, Wagons, SUV, Hatch, Coupe, Convertibles, Vans, Utility Vehicles, Cab Chassis

Website: https://www.citymotorauction.com.au/default.aspx

Address: 720 Kingsford Smith Dr, Eagle Farm QLD 4009, Australia

Contact Details: 07 3868 3555

Business Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm                      

Google reviews score3.9/5
Facebook reviews score3.6/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency4.7/5
Vehicle Selection4.9/5
Services4.8/5
Quality Check4.8/5
Customer Service4.6/5

Pros

  • Car auctions twice a week
  • For simulcast bidders, vehicle catalog for cars at auction can be previewed the day before

Cons

  • A non-refundable $500 deposit is required upon winning the bid
  • Used cars dealer prices are expensive

City Motor Auction is another top choice if you’re looking to buy cars at auction. They offer a variety of vehicle makes and body types as well with auctions every Wednesday and Friday. 

We like that they have twice a week auctions so there will be more opportunities to bid especially if you’re eyeing specific cars. 

You can also have the option to join their simulcast auctions and all you need is to register online to get a bidder number. 

It’s also really convenient that they provide a preview of their car catalog a day before the actual auction. Take note that the vehicle listing can also be updated on the day. 

Apart from car auctions, they also have a used car dealers area where you can buy vehicles at a fixed price. However, prices here are quite expensive so it would be better to look elsewhere. 

When it comes to auctions, it would really be an advantage if you do your homework and research about the vehicles. You can even get a great bargain with good research and thorough inspection of the cars. 

You should also take note that when you win a bid, a $500 deposit is required. And if you won’t be able to pay the final balance, the deposit won’t be refunded. 

4. Carlins Automotive Auctioneers

Carlins Automotive Auctioneers

Vehicle Selection: Audi, BMW, Hyundai, KIA, Mini, Nissan, Porsche, Renault, Toyota, Volkswagen, etc. 

Website: https://www.carlins.com.au/

Address: 1B, 420 Nudgee Road Hendra QLD 4011 Australia

Contact Details: (07) 3260 2799

Business Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm

Google reviews score3.7/5
Facebook reviews score0/5
Total reviews3.8/5
Score consistency4.6/5
Vehicle Selection4.8/5
Services4.7/5
Quality Check4.5/5
Customer Service4.4/5

Pros

  • No need to download apps or software to register for auctions
  • Specific vehicles can be requested through their website

Cons

  • Auctions are done online only
  • There were instances wherein vehicle conditions were not fully disclosed

Carlins Automotive Auctioneers is another popular name when it comes to car auctions as it also has locations in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. 

They also have a diverse selection of vehicles at auction and on sale. Some of the brands that they have in stock include Lexus, Jaguar, Audi, Mercedes Benz, Mini, Volkswagen, Renault, and more. 

It’s also very convenient to bid at their auctions as you can join their biddings online regardless of your location. 

We also like that you don’t have to download any app or software to join the bid, you will simply have to register on their website and you can already bid from there during their auction schedules. 

While it’s convenient to just do everything online, bidding for a used car virtually will be quite a gamble as you’re not entirely sure about its full condition. They do provide vehicle condition reports but it might not be very accurate all the time. 

With that said, it’s best to visit onsite so you can personally browse through their available vehicles and make a thorough inspection. 

In addition, it’s possible to make vehicle requests as well on their website. You can fill out specific details such as the make, model, year, mileage, transmission, and preferred color. 

We think this is a great service because, who knows? They just might have the car that you’re looking for! 

5. Slattery Auctions & Valuations

Slattery Auctions & Valuations

Vehicle Selection: Cars, Commercial Vehicles, Motorcycles, Trucks & Trailers, Machinery, Mining & Earthmoving, Agriculture & Groundskeeping, Marine & Aviation, etc. 

Website: https://www.slatteryauctions.com.au/

Address: 3/57 Hayward Street, Stafford QLD 4053

Contact Details: (07) 3149 8210                            

Business Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm

Google reviews score4.3/5
Facebook reviews score0/5
Total reviews3/5
Score consistency4/5
Vehicle Selection5/5
Services4.9/5
Quality Check4.6/5
Customer Service4.7/5

Pros

  • Diverse collection of vehicles 
  • Very user-friendly website

Cons

  • There were instances wherein winning bidders were told to pay first before making an inspection
  • Some vehicle conditions are not completely disclosed

Slattery Auctions & Valuations is one of the best choices when it comes to car auctions because it also has an extensive lineup of vehicles that even goes beyond cars. 

Other vehicles that are available at auction include commercial vehicles and motorcycles, trucks and trailers, machinery, mining, and earthmoving, groundskeeping and agriculture, and even marine and aviation. 

We find it convenient that the cars to be auctioned off are already available on their website. You can even turn on the notification for a specific unit so you’d be alerted once the bidding for it starts. 

We also heard from customers that their website is very easy to navigate, which is a huge plus. 

They have various locations across the country and you can also bid for vehicles that are in other branches. 

You also have the option to make an inspection of the vehicles before you bid if traveling to the location won’t be a hassle. 

However, we heard from some customers that they were asked to pay first before being allowed to inspect the vehicle, which isn’t fair at all. 

But perhaps this is why it’s best to inspect the vehicles first before you make your bid to avoid these inconveniences, especially if you’re bidding online. 

FAQs About Car Auctions


And those are our picks of the best car auction houses in Brisbane! We hope our recommendations were able to help you with purchasing your vehicle! 

We’d love to know if you were able to check out any of our suggestions! So just drop us a line down below! 

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