Where these cars and vans come from
The lots come from German public auctions. Zoll-Auktion sells vehicles from customs, the Länder and municipalities: retired police cars, fire service vehicles, municipal vans. Justiz-Auktion offers vehicles seized by bailiffs and courts. VEBEG, a federal company, sells government and military equipment, including vehicles from the US forces via IFMS, often without VAT. Add vehicles from insolvent companies sold on liquidation and insolvency platforms, and lots from private auction houses. Each source has its own rules: no buyer's premium at Zoll-Auktion and Justiz-Auktion, buyer's premium at licensed auctioneers.
Checkpoints before bidding
Read the German description: "defekt" (defective), "ungeprüft" (untested), "nur Abholung" (collection only). Check the documents: Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I and II, the old Fahrzeugbrief, and the validity of the HU/TÜV roadworthiness test. To drive it home, you often need export plates (Ausfuhrkennzeichen) or temporary plates (Kurzzeitkennzeichen). To register it in your own country, allow for a certificate of conformity and the registration procedure of your country. An inspection (Besichtigung) is often possible before the sale: ask for extra photos, battery condition, leaks and wear. At private auction houses, buyer's premiums often range from 15 to 33%, plus 19% German VAT depending on the scheme.
Collection, transport and delivery
Vehicles are almost always to be collected on site in Germany. Arrange a transporter or a relay address in Germany to collect the lot. Some sellers ship within Germany or the EU, but rarely a drivable vehicle. A professional from the EU with a valid intra-community VAT number can often buy without German VAT by providing proof of transport (Gelangensbestätigung), depending on the seller. Bidorado does not sell anything: you bid on the seller's official site. The displayed all-in price includes known fees, but not transport. Check collection deadlines and any storage fees.