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Buying a Car at Manheim Auto Auctions – You Will Need Assistance

Buying a Car at Manheim Auto Auctions – You Will Need Assistance

Manheim Inc. is a company that set up the largest chain of car auctions in North America and around the world. It sells up to 6 million used cars every year. The majority of buyers at the auctions are dealerships, car rental agencies, car manufacturers, government agencies and banks. To make purchases on the Manheim marketplaces, you will need a dealer license. There is also another option - to use the services of a competent intermediary, such as for instance the Georgian company Columbus.

Peculiarities of Manheim Auto Auctions

Manheim manages 45 auctions throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. The company’s main activity is the wholesale of cars in a traditional and online formats.

The traditional format involves taking a car through special conveyors with auctioneers. For example, there are 33 lines like this at the large car auction in Pennsylvania. There is also a convenient online shopping option.

The most expensive cars are put up for auction about once every two weeks. Along with popular car brands, you can also find Bentleys, Rolls-Royces, Ferraris, Lamborghini and other luxury vehicles on Manheim.


Among the key features of the auction are the following:

  • There are lots for used cars that have not been damaged and are ready to drive.

  • It is not uncommon for cars with expired warranties to be listed on Manheim's websites. They come from insurance companies, banks, and other institutions.

  • Manheim is a closed auction, i.e. accessible to licensed dealers only. An ordinary buyer is not able to bid there. However, a number of companies holding a dealer license provide private individuals access to the auction. One of these companies is Columbus.

  • Each lot is accompanied by complete information about the vehicle. The auction is responsible for the accuracy of the data provided.

  • At the same time, Manheim offers an additional paid Post Sale Inspection, with a price ranging from $150 to $275.

  • At Manheim auctions the buyer is able to purchase a vehicle in excellent condition: most of the cars put up for auction were operated on fine American roads and were properly serviced at official service stations - including dealer networks - which guarantees the quality of work.

  • The mileage of the car put up for auction is likely to be very low, and the price will be 15-25% cheaper than the average market price in the US. Otherwise, they simply would not be purchased by dealers to be further resold. Of course, if you consider shipping the car to Europe this percentage will drop. However, the above mentioned advantages of cars from Manheim auctions will stay in place. It’s also worth remembering that many cars from the company's trading floors are simply not represented in Europe, or their price there is greatly inflated.

  • The bidder can transfer the funds for the car within a week after the auction. In addition, auctions allow you to use a special credit line. Dealers often get the car they need, sell it quickly and pay only $200-$400 for using the loan – it’s very convenient!

What you need to consider before buying a car at one of the Manheim auctions


Purchasing a car at special dealer pricing is a lucrative business, especially at Manheim auctions that offers undamaged cars. However, before taking part in the public auction, check out a few recommendations from Columbus whose experts have been helping customers from all over the world to buy cars at American auto auctions for over 10 years.

  1. Remember that if you are buying a used car at an auction, you will not be able to get a refund. Thus make sure you look before you leap - examine the car beforehand.

  2. You will be able to view the lists of cars before the auction starts. Take advantage of this opportunity and pick the cars you like. To avoid overpaying, be sure to check their cost on a special resource that helps determine the vehicle’s value - Kelley Blue Book.

  3. Cars at the auction will be washed and polished but this does constitute a guarantee of their quality. If you have a friend who knows about cars, try to involve them in picking a vehicle. However, this will not solve the issue of access to participation in the auction which can only be provided by a company that owns a dealer license. Contact Сolumbus and we will definitely help!

  4. After making a list of potential targets and studying their market value, set your price limit and stick to it. Don't let your emotions get the better of you.

  5. Read online reviews, watch videos of reputable bloggers on YouTube - this will save you from embarrassing mistakes. The largest online auctions are cult marketplaces with lots of people around all the time. Get acquainted with their reviews of Manheim on car sites or social network groups and communities. Sites like Reddit and Quora can provide an answer to all the common questions about big car auctions, making them great sources of information.

What’s New in Manheim?


Over the past year, Manheim's customers have become even more reliant on digital channels to conduct business. Approximately 80% of purchases are made by online buyers. However, Manheim remains committed to a hybrid auction model that offers customers both in-person and online options.

The company recently completed the deployment of Lot Vision - a vehicle tracking system that quickly and accurately locates vehicles in Manheim parking lots. In addition, the company is testing additional features of the mobile app including access to diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).

This revolutionary feature will provide customers with more vehicle data, help them with pre-sale repairs as well as making the right purchasing decisions.

Columbus Opportunities

Columbus not only has access to all the bidding opportunities at Manheim auctions as an official dealer but it also guarantees a full range of services related to the purchase of a used car in the US. You will definitely appreciate the following pros of the company.

  • In the course of our work, we have learned all the subtleties of the auction trade in the US and we know all its pitfalls and know how to avoid them.

  • We guarantee a full range of consulting services for our customers - from assistance in choosing a car to preparing the necessary paperwork, customs clearance and shipping of the car to the port of destination. We also offer turnkey delivery of the car.

  • All the customer needs to do to place an order is state the search criteria for the car and possible special wishes. Columbus managers will find a suitable vehicle, check it against the company's checklists and after making sure that it is in good condition recommend it to the client. There is no need to track the car at the auction every hour and try to make a deal without knowing the language - our experts will do everything for you.

  • Columbus thoroughly tested logistics allows us to provide customers with good deals on shipping cars to any port in America, and then to any country in the world.

  • If you need online access to a Manheim auction and you want to buy an undamaged car in America at the best price with subsequent secure shipping to Europe - call or email us. We will be happy to help!

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