For buyers
Bidding at H&F
Timed online sales, open to trade and private buyers in the UK and overseas. Everything you need to know before you place a bid.
Current & upcoming sales
Sales calendar
Sample layout — the dates and lot counts below are placeholders. The auction platform publishes no feed, so this calendar is maintained by hand.
| Sale | Lots | Viewing | Closes | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Vehicles & North American Imports Timed online | 46 | Mon–Fri, by appointment | Thu 6 Aug, 6pm | View catalogue |
| Plant, Machinery & Workshop Equipment Timed online | 112 | Wed 12 Aug, 9am–4pm | Thu 20 Aug, 6pm | View catalogue |
| Fine Watches & Jewellery Timed online | 38 | By appointment only | Thu 27 Aug, 7pm | View catalogue |
TODO(client): replace with the real catalogue. Worth asking Auction Technology Group — named in H&F’s own terms as the platform operator — whether they can provide a catalogue feed or CSV export, which would let this page update itself.
Step by step
From registration to collection
Register and verify
Photo ID and proof of address. Trade buyers can add a company account with named bidders.
Inspect the lot
Viewing is by appointment — we can't show vehicles to unbooked walk-ins. Ask for extra photos or a video walkaround if you can't attend.
Bid to your maximum
Bids in the closing minutes extend the lot, so there's no last-second snipe. Your invoice arrives by email once the sale ends.
Pay, then collect
Payment is due within 24 hours of your invoice, or 48 hours for jewellery. Collection follows the timeframe and status stated for the lot.
Terms buyers ask about first
The important numbers
These charges follow our terms and conditions. Check the lot’s VAT status and the bidding platform’s Additional Charges tab before placing a bid.
| Vehicle buyer’s premium | 30% plus VAT. Check the lot description and the Additional Charges tab on the bidding platform for the charges applicable to your lot. |
| Jewellery & diamond buyer’s premium | 20% plus VAT. Check the lot description and the Additional Charges tab before bidding. |
| VAT on the hammer price | VAT is added to the purchase price where the lot is marked VAT Status Plus VAT. Check each lot’s VAT status before bidding. |
| Vehicle handling charge | £875 plus VAT (£1,050 including VAT) per vehicle lot for administration and handling, including transport to the collection facility. |
| Payment deadline | Cleared funds are due within 24 hours of the invoice being emailed for vehicle sales and within 48 hours for jewellery sales, or before collection or arranging delivery, whichever is earlier. Payment is by BACS. |
| Collection window | Collection is normally required within five working days of the auction ending, after cleared payment and by appointment. Check the lot’s status: in-transit vehicles may take up to 21 working days, imported vehicles 30 working days, and jewellery and diamonds 60 working days. The terms allow up to 90 working days for specified customs holds. |
| Storage | £50 plus VAT per day if the lot is not collected or delivery arranged within the required timeframe. |
| Late-payment / storage administration | A one-off £75 plus VAT administration charge applies when late-payment fees or storage charges begin. |
| Late payment | The published terms specify interest at 5% per day plus VAT, calculated on the hammer price and buyer’s premium excluding VAT. Late-payment fees are limited to 14 days. |
| Cancellation | Cancellation requires written agreement from both H&F and the seller. The charge is the full buyer’s premium per lot plus the administration charge for the auction. For vehicle auctions, the administration charge is £875 plus VAT (£1,050 including VAT). |
| Deposits | A £500 deposit may be requested after bidding. It is deducted from the final amount if successful, or returned in full within 48 hours if unsuccessful unless otherwise instructed by email. |
| Delivery | Delivery is charged separately. The price depends on the destination and must be agreed before dispatch. |
| Finance | We don't offer finance. Please have funding approved before you bid, as bids are binding. |
| Invoices | Emailed within 30 minutes of the auction ending to the address on your bidding account. |
| Export buyers | We handle NOVA, deregistration paperwork and containerised shipping through established partners. |
TODO(client): Section 2 of the current terms states that H&F provides its services “to businesses and not to consumers”, which contradicts the line above about private buyers. This needs resolving before launch — either the terms are out of date, or this page should not be inviting private bidders.
Ready to bid?
Registration takes about five minutes.