UAE Car Auction Fees Explained: Emirates Auction, Copart and Court Sales

Copart says its Middle East platform auctions more than 1,000 vehicles every week, according to the Copart Middle East homepage, and Emirates Auction regularly sells cars from banks and government entities. The hammer price is only part of what you pay. This guide to UAE car auction fees sets out what each auction house publishes in its own terms: the admin or buyer fee, the deposit, VAT, late payment and storage charges, and the export costs that follow, with a worked example in dirhams.

For most buyers, the fees on top of the hammer price come in four layers: a fixed admin or buyer fee, 5 percent VAT on that fee, a refundable security deposit and the costs after the sale, such as storage, transport and export paperwork. At Emirates Auction, a car that sells for AED 1,001 to 100,000 carries an AED 600 admin fee plus VAT.

Emirates Auction fees for vehicles#

The Emirates Auction terms and conditions set a fixed administrative fee per vehicle, banded by the sale value. Each band has 5 percent VAT added.

The same terms say Emirates Auction may set different or extra fees for a specific item, shown on that listing. Read the lot page before you bid, not after you win.

Deposits and bidding limits#

Every UAE auction asks for money up front before you can bid. The deposit is refundable if you do not win, but it caps how much you can bid and is forfeited if you win and fail to pay.

The Copart figures come from its Middle East memberships page, which says membership fees are valid until the end of the year. The court figures come from the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department auctions page, which also asks the winner to pay the balance within two days of the award.

Copart UAE buyer fees and payment rules#

Copart does not print one buyer fee percentage in its terms. Its member terms and conditions list the buyer's premium, storage, loading, late payment and relist fees as charges that vary by location, and say the current fees are shown on its website and at its yards. In practice, check the fees on each lot and on your invoice before you pay.

The same terms set the deadlines that create extra costs:

• Payment. The price and all fees are due in cleared funds within two business days of the sale.
• Relisting. If you do not pay, Copart may cancel the sale, relist the car and charge a relist fee.
• Storage. A daily storage fee starts if the car is still in the yard seven calendar days after the sale.
• Abandonment. After 30 days, Copart may start an abandonment process and still collect the money owed.

Copart's help pages describe slightly different payment and pick up windows for virtual bidders, so follow the dates on your own invoice. Its terms also say membership is for traders rather than consumers, which is one reason many overseas buyers use an agent.

Penalties if a sale goes wrong#

A 30 percent fine on an AED 40,000 car is AED 12,000, so never bid on a car you are not sure you can pay for on time.

Export costs after the hammer falls#

For light vehicles, the Emirates Auction terms list these export costs, paid by the buyer:

Shipping to Africa is separate. Freight is quoted per car, and our UAE to Africa shipping page explains RoRo and container options from Jebel Ali. Marine insurance is optional, with our insurance rates starting from 1.0 percent of the insured value for Total Loss Only and 1.75 percent for All Risk Marine.

UAE car auction fees worked example: an AED 40,000 car#

Take a car in Dubai that sells for AED 40,000 to a buyer with no UAE traffic file, using only the published Emirates Auction figures:

The fees add AED 1,475, or about 3.7 percent of the hammer price. To bid up to AED 45,000 on that car, you would also lodge a refundable deposit of AED 9,000, which is 20 percent of the maximum bid. The terms add VAT to the final price where it applies, so check the lot page for that too.

When an agent makes sense#

If you live in Accra, Lagos or Abidjan, the hard parts are registering, inspecting the car in person and paying within days. Our UAE auction assistance service shortlists lots, shares condition reports and photos, bids up to the maximum you set and then moves the car straight into export. Our guide to buying cars at UAE auctions covers condition reports and how to set your ceiling bid.

Frequently asked questions#

How much do you pay for auction fees?#

It depends on the auction house. At Emirates Auction, a car between AED 1,001 and 100,000 carries an AED 600 admin fee plus 5 percent VAT, rising to 1 percent of the price above AED 200,000, as its terms and conditions set out. Export procedures, storage and any late fees come on top.

What is the minimum deposit for Emirates Auction?#

The deposit for cars is 20 percent of the maximum amount you want to bid, paid by card or bank transfer, or a banker's cheque for the full amount. So a buyer who wants to bid up to AED 100,000 lodges AED 20,000, which is refunded if they do not win.

Is it good to buy a car from Emirates Auction?#

It can be good value, because many cars come from banks and government entities. Cars are sold as they are, though, so check the condition report and the VIN carefully, as our VIN check guide explains, and budget for the fees before you bid.

How much do Copart charge fees?#

Copart Middle East membership costs AED 600 for Standard or AED 1,200 for Premium, according to its memberships page. Its buyer's premium and other fees vary by location and are shown on the website and your invoice, so check them on each lot before you bid.

Where can I find car auctions in the UAE?#

The main online platforms include Emirates Auction and Copart Middle East, and the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department runs court auctions through its own app. If you are buying from Africa for export, our auction assistance service can bid for you and handle the car export documents after the win.

Browse 700+ cars or send the car you want#

If you would rather skip the auction, choose a left hand drive car from the current inventory and ask for a shipping quote to your port. Or send us the car you want with your budget and destination, and we will check auction lots and stock for you, or use the WhatsApp button below.