CVA Auctions

CVA describes itself as the UK's most established auction house for the light and heavy commercial vehicle market, and its structure backs that up: four centres — Doncaster, Bedford, Livingston in Scotland and Avonmouth near Bristol — each with its own number, covering the country north to south. Alongside commercials it sells cars, plant and equipment, which makes it one of the broader vehicle operators in Britain.

What you can buy

• Heavy commercial vehicles: trucks and tractor units, the core of the business.
• Light commercials: vans and utilities from fleets.
• Cars from the same disposal channels.
• Plant and equipment sold alongside the vehicle sales.
• Trailers and ancillary equipment.

How the bidding works

Sales run in an online auction format, and the house publishes its own process notes on viewing and bidding — worth reading, because arrangements for inspecting a truck differ from those for a car. Registration is required, and there is a valuation service on the selling side.

What to check before you bid

Check which of the four centres holds the lot before you commit: Livingston to Avonmouth is the length of the country, and collection is from the centre where the vehicle stands. Commercial vehicles sell as seen and at trade pace; on an HGV the service record, MOT position and plating history carry most of the value, and none of it is visible in a photograph. If you are exporting, remember the vehicles are right-hand drive.