Where these vans and trucks come from
The vans and trucks listed here come mainly from German public auctions. Zoll-Auktion sells off service vehicles from public authorities: municipal vans, fire service vehicles, decommissioned police cars. Justiz-Auktion offers vehicles seized by bailiffs and courts. VEBEG, a federal company, sells government and military equipment, often by sealed tender. Add to that insolvency and liquidation platforms, which disperse the fleets of bankrupt companies, and hundreds of private auction houses. Each seller sets their own terms: read them before bidding.
Checkpoints before bidding
The German wording of the listing is decisive. "nicht fahrbereit" means not drivable, "Motorschaden" engine damage, "Unfallfahrzeug" accident-damaged vehicle. Also check "ohne TÜV" or "HU abgelaufen" (MOT expired), "Zulassung erloschen" (registration cancelled) and the EZ, first registration. For machinery, the UVV is the mandatory safety inspection. On the paperwork side, the Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I and II (registration certificate, the former Fahrzeugbrief) must be present. An inspection (Besichtigung) is often possible before the sale: it is the best way to judge the real condition of a Pkw or Lkw.
Collection, transport and delivery
Many lots are to be collected on site ("nur Abholung"); some sellers ship within Germany or the EU. To drive a vehicle out of Germany by road, the usual route is the export plate (Ausfuhrkennzeichen, with temporary insurance). Short-term plates (Kurzzeitkennzeichen) are in principle intended for driving in Germany and their use abroad is often refused. Transport on a flatbed avoids any plate issues. For France, a temporary WW registration is possible; to register, you need the certificate of conformity, the tax clearance certificate and an ANTS application.