Modern fleet vehicles turn over every month at the Cambridge Machinery Sale in Sutton, near Ely, and classic and vintage commercials come up four times a year at the Vintage Sales.
The monthly sale carries the working catalogue: HGVs, tippers, vans, flatbeds, tankers, 4x4s and the light commercials that come straight off a fleet. Some arrive road-registered with a current MOT and V5, others are end-of-life or export stock, and that mix is exactly why these sales pull in working operators and overseas buyers as readily as the trade. A typical catalogue runs 20 or more lots, with Volvo, Scania, Mercedes and Toyota the names that recur.
Classic and vintage commercial vehicles
The vintage commercials bring out the older marques, with Scammell, Bedford, Austin and Leyland among them, from restored showpieces to running projects. If you're after a classic lorry, these sales sit in the same programme as the classic cars and motorcycles, so the buyers cross over.
Buying trucks and commercial vehicles at auction
Catalogues go online ahead of each sale, with full descriptions and photographs, so you can weigh up a vehicle properly before bidding. Registration is free, and while you can still bid in the room or over the phone, most buyers now do it online, at no extra charge.
It's worth viewing where you can, to check the condition and paperwork and see exactly what's included before you commit. The buyer's premium on modern commercial vehicles is 6% plus VAT on the first £2,500 of the hammer price and 3.5% plus VAT above that, rising to 6% plus VAT on classic and vintage lots, though rates can vary by sale, so check the terms for the specific auction before bidding.
Selling trucks and commercial vehicles through Cheffins
Cheffins sells commercial vehicles whether you've a single one to move on or a whole fleet to clear, including finance repossessions. A single vehicle goes into the monthly sale, while a larger fleet can run as a dedicated disposal, on-site if the numbers justify it.
The team handles it from appraisal and advice through to cataloguing, photography, marketing and the paperwork that follows, including the export documentation a lot of vehicle buyers need. Pre-sale appraisals are free, with formal written valuations charged separately. Joe Page, director at Cambridge Machinery Sales, looks after commercial vehicle entries and can advise on the right route and what your vehicle's likely to make.
Why Cheffins for trucks and commercial vehicles?
Cheffins has sold machinery since 1941, and the monthly sale now draws around 30,000 registered bidders in more than 50 countries. For commercial vehicles, that international reach earns its keep, because a fair proportion of these head overseas, and an export buyer in the room lifts prices a purely domestic sale would not reach.
Truck and commercial vehicle auction FAQs
Where can I buy trucks at auction in the UK?
Modern trucks and commercial vehicles sell at the monthly Cambridge Machinery Sale at Sutton, near Ely, while classic and vintage commercials run through the Cheffins Vintage Sales. Registration is free, and you can bid online or in the room.
How do I sell a commercial vehicle at auction?
Talk to the machinery team about the best route. A single vehicle suits the monthly sale, while a larger fleet can be handled as a dedicated disposal. Joe Page can advise on valuation and which sale to use.
Does Cheffins sell classic and vintage commercial vehicles?
Yes. Classic and vintage commercials sell four times a year through the collective Vintage Sales, featuring marques such as Scammell, Bedford, Austin and Leyland, from restored vehicles to running projects.
What is the buyer's premium on vehicle auctions?
At Cambridge Machinery Sales, the buyer's premium on modern commercial vehicles is 6% plus VAT on the first £2,500 of the hammer price, then 3.5% plus VAT above that, rising to 6% plus VAT on classic and vintage lots. On-site sales can differ, with the premium generally around 3.5% plus VAT depending on the sale.
Related sections
Plant & Machinery · Modern Tractors · Classic Cars · Classic & Vintage Motorcycles · Cambridge Machinery Sales · On-site Auctions · Machinery & Vintage Auctions
Ready to buy or sell a truck or commercial vehicle?
Take a look at what's coming up in the next sale, or talk to the machinery team about selling. Call 01353 777767 (option 1) or email [email protected].