How Flash Auctions Work

Registration and Membership

Register once to buy and sell on MotorChain. Private auction users need the £9.99 annual membership; verified dealers do not require membership. Flash listing fees are £5.99 for private sellers and £3.99 for verified dealers. Every Flash Auction runs for 24 hours, has no reserve and lets the seller choose the starting bid.

Minimum Bid

The bid box displays the minimum acceptable bid. All submitted bids are considered binding and may not be withdrawn.

Maximum Bid

Input the highest amount you're willing to bid for a vehicle, bidding will proceed either until you secure a win or hit your set limit.

Bid Increments

You may submit a specific bid amount or raise your bid manually in increments of £50.

Prevention of Sniping

If a bid is placed during the final 60 seconds, the auction timer resets to 60 seconds. This repeats after every qualifying bid.

Obligations of Buyers and Irrevocability of Bids

Once a bid has been placed, it is considered final and binding. MotorChain cannot be held responsible for the condition or accuracy of any vehicle listed on the platform. It is solely the buyer's responsibility to carefully review all images and documents provided within the listing, as well as to read the full description and any accompanying comments in detail before making a bid. Please ensure you have a thorough understanding of the vehicle and are completely satisfied with its details before proceeding to place your bid.

Winning the Auction

If you win the auction, MotorChain will notify you and provide the seller's contact details. There is no buyer or contact fee. You and the seller then arrange the vehicle payment, inspection, and collection directly.

How to Make Payment

MotorChain does not collect or hold the purchase price. Agree a safe payment method and collection plan directly with the seller using the details released after the auction.

A winning bid remains a binding commitment. Failure to complete an agreed purchase may result in account review or suspension under the Auction Terms.

Buyer's Fees

There is no MotorChain buyer, contact-release, or success fee for a Flash Auction win.

It is important to remember that all bids submitted during the auction are binding and cannot be withdrawn. MotorChain may cancel a bid only where it verifies a technical error, fraud, unauthorised account use, a legal requirement or another exceptional reason.

If a winning bidder does not complete the agreed transaction, MotorChain may review, suspend, or remove their auction access.

Collection

Try to collect your vehicle and make payment to the seller within seven days of winning. You will receive an email detailing how to reach out to the seller for arranging payment and picking up the car.