It can be difficult to decide exactly how much to pray. You want to outbid other buyers, but you also want to get a good deal. So, how do you figure out the best amount to pray on?
For continental European customers, we can provide a price estimate that we believe the seller will agree to for most vehicles. This estimate is based on an analysis of our historical auction data, which we update regularly. It's not a guaranteed minimum price, but it gives you a good idea of what the seller expects. You can find the estimated price in the 'Bidding Advisor' section on the car detail page.
Of course, it is always up to the seller to accept your offer. But using our years of experience to guide your decision can significantly increase your chances of being assigned the car.
UK customers can find the current estimated value of each vehicle at the bottom right of the car details page.
• 'CAP clean' indicates the vehicle's top trading value and lets you know if it's ready to be sold and has a current MOT, complete service history, all documents and spare keys.
• 'CAP average' applies if the vehicle is in reasonable condition considering its age and mileage, but not in the best possible condition.
• 'CAP below' indicates the commercial value of a vehicle that is 'in less than average condition given its age and mileage.
• 'CAP retail' provides an estimate of the current sales value of the vehicle.
The bidding process
Step 1: Log in and go to the car detail page of the vehicle you want to bid on.
STEP 2: Enter your bid by typing the amount or using the + / - button. You cannot bid lower than the starting price or the current highest bid. You'll immediately see the total price you'll pay at that bid level, including fees and taxes.
step 3: Choose your bidding method:
• Bidding agent : You enter the maximum amount you are willing to bid for a vehicle. However, this is not the amount that will appear on the website. The bidding agent will only bid the lowest amount possible to exceed the previous bid. And it will continue to do this until your maximum amount is reached.
• Maximum bid or direct bid: You place a bid, which is immediately displayed on the website. We recommend that you place a maximum bid directly from 'My bids', which is only visible after you have logged in.
STEP 4: Submit your bid by clicking on the 'Place bid' button. Don't forget: all bids are binding and cannot be canceled or removed from the website.
Step 5:If you are a Continental European customer and you are the highest bidder, you can increase your chances of getting the car by placing your best and final bid up to five minutes after the end of the auction with Ultimo .
STEP 6: Track bids using browser notifications or notifications on your smartphone via our mobile app (if available).
Additional tips to increase your chances of success:
1. Download our mobile app (European customers only)
The OPENLANE mobile app can manage your bids, find cars and stay up to date with the most important auction events. You can download the app from the App Store (iOS) or the Google Play Store (Android). Open the app and log in with your OPENLANE username and password. The app remembers your login details for six months, so don't forget to change your password if your smartphone is lost or stolen.
2. Guaranteed order
• Buy it now auctions : You can skip the entire bidding process by entering the Buy it now price first. The vehicle will be assigned to you when the auction ends.
• Target auctions (Continental European customers only): If your winning bid is at least as high as the target price, you will be awarded the vehicle at the end of the auction.
• x-Time Auctions (Continental European customers only): Worried about auction snipers? These are the people who wait until the last minute to suddenly outbid you. With x-Time auctions you don't have to worry because you still get the chance to make your best bid.
3. Bidding guidance
Do you want to become a professional bidder? Get to know our range of useful bidding tools and learn how they work. They are designed to increase your chances of winning cars in OPENLANE auctions. Discover more information about OPENLANE's bidding tools.
Any questions?
We are happy to help you! Please contact our friendly customer service team for more information.
For continental European customers, we can provide a price estimate that we believe the seller will agree to for most vehicles. This estimate is based on an analysis of our historical auction data, which we update regularly. It's not a guaranteed minimum price, but it gives you a good idea of what the seller expects. You can find the estimated price in the 'Bidding Advisor' section on the car detail page.
Of course, it is always up to the seller to accept your offer. But using our years of experience to guide your decision can significantly increase your chances of being assigned the car.
UK customers can find the current estimated value of each vehicle at the bottom right of the car details page.
• 'CAP clean' indicates the vehicle's top trading value and lets you know if it's ready to be sold and has a current MOT, complete service history, all documents and spare keys.
• 'CAP average' applies if the vehicle is in reasonable condition considering its age and mileage, but not in the best possible condition.
• 'CAP below' indicates the commercial value of a vehicle that is 'in less than average condition given its age and mileage.
• 'CAP retail' provides an estimate of the current sales value of the vehicle.
The bidding process
Step 1: Log in and go to the car detail page of the vehicle you want to bid on.
STEP 2: Enter your bid by typing the amount or using the + / - button. You cannot bid lower than the starting price or the current highest bid. You'll immediately see the total price you'll pay at that bid level, including fees and taxes.
step 3: Choose your bidding method:
• Bidding agent : You enter the maximum amount you are willing to bid for a vehicle. However, this is not the amount that will appear on the website. The bidding agent will only bid the lowest amount possible to exceed the previous bid. And it will continue to do this until your maximum amount is reached.
• Maximum bid or direct bid: You place a bid, which is immediately displayed on the website. We recommend that you place a maximum bid directly from 'My bids', which is only visible after you have logged in.
STEP 4: Submit your bid by clicking on the 'Place bid' button. Don't forget: all bids are binding and cannot be canceled or removed from the website.
Step 5:If you are a Continental European customer and you are the highest bidder, you can increase your chances of getting the car by placing your best and final bid up to five minutes after the end of the auction with Ultimo .
STEP 6: Track bids using browser notifications or notifications on your smartphone via our mobile app (if available).
Additional tips to increase your chances of success:
1. Download our mobile app (European customers only)
The OPENLANE mobile app can manage your bids, find cars and stay up to date with the most important auction events. You can download the app from the App Store (iOS) or the Google Play Store (Android). Open the app and log in with your OPENLANE username and password. The app remembers your login details for six months, so don't forget to change your password if your smartphone is lost or stolen.
2. Guaranteed order
• Buy it now auctions : You can skip the entire bidding process by entering the Buy it now price first. The vehicle will be assigned to you when the auction ends.
• Target auctions (Continental European customers only): If your winning bid is at least as high as the target price, you will be awarded the vehicle at the end of the auction.
• x-Time Auctions (Continental European customers only): Worried about auction snipers? These are the people who wait until the last minute to suddenly outbid you. With x-Time auctions you don't have to worry because you still get the chance to make your best bid.
3. Bidding guidance
Do you want to become a professional bidder? Get to know our range of useful bidding tools and learn how they work. They are designed to increase your chances of winning cars in OPENLANE auctions. Discover more information about OPENLANE's bidding tools.
Any questions?
We are happy to help you! Please contact our friendly customer service team for more information.
