Witham vs Ramco (2026): Where to Buy Ex-MoD Vehicles and Surplus

Witham Specialist Vehicles and Ramco are the two main routes to buying ex-Ministry of Defence surplus in the UK, and they sell different things. Witham, in Grantham, sells ex-MoD vehicles, plant, generators and trailers, and describes itself as the MoD's sales and marketing agent. Ramco, in Skegness, sells MoD stores, clothing and textiles plus other public-sector surplus, and says it has held the MoD commercial assets contract since 1996. Recent sale terms put Witham's buyer's premium at 25% (minimum £10 per lot) and Ramco's at 20%, both plus VAT. Today we index 110+ live Witham lots and 330+ from Ramco.

The MoD does not sell to the public itself. It appoints contractors, and those contractors run the sales on their own websites. If you want a Land Rover Wolf or a military truck, you want Witham; if you want boots, webbing, tents, tools or boxed stores, you want Ramco.

Quick answer

• For ex-military vehicles, plant and trailers: Witham.
• For clothing, textiles, stores and small equipment: Ramco.
• Lower premium in recent sales: Ramco (20% + VAT against Witham's 25% + VAT), though both change the rate from sale to sale.
• If you cannot collect: Ramco. Its recent sales have been delivery-only. Witham expects you to collect within 7 days.

Side by side

Both houses set terms per sale. Check the "important information" page of the sale you bid in.

What each one sells

Witham runs themed MoD sales billed as coming direct from the UK MoD, plus some other government departments. The core stock is vehicles: Land Rover Defender-based Wolfs and other 4x4s, trucks, plant, generators and trailers. Its 2026 news has covered the release of retired Puma helicopters and of the Army's Land Rover fleet. In our index today Witham lots include vehicles and military-surplus kit, plus smaller items such as tools and parts sold in the same sales.

Ramco handles a broader spread of public-sector disposals. On its own site it names the MoD, the NHS, National Highways, HM Prison Service and Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue as clients, and it is on the government's asset disposal framework. In March 2024 the MoD's sales authority awarded it the surplus contract that now includes clothing and textiles, and it describes itself as the official MoD contractor for military clothing. Its current sales are mostly Military Textiles auctions. In our index Ramco lots are mostly military surplus and mixed stores rather than vehicles.

So the two rarely compete for the same lot. The practical question is which one sells the thing you want.

Fees and VAT

Witham charged 25% on all lots, with a £10 minimum per lot, in its September and October 2026 sales, and states that VAT is added to the final price. Older Witham sales used lower rates (12% in one), so the rate is not fixed. A replacement vehicle release document costs £25 + VAT, so keep the sale paperwork safe: you will need it when you register the vehicle with the DVLA.

Ramco charged a 20% premium in its current sales, with VAT on the hammer, the premium and lot charges. Older Ramco sales have used different rates, so check each sale. Packaging such as tri-wall boxes is charged separately (£27 + VAT each in one sale).

On a £3,000 hammer with VAT on everything:

A VAT-registered business with a VAT invoice can normally reclaim the VAT. Ramco waives VAT when you prove export; check Witham's terms for the same.

Bidding mechanics

Both run timed online sales where you can leave a maximum bid.

• Witham runs its auctions on bid.mod-sales.com, which is built on BidSpotter, and also sells some items by direct sale and tender. Registration asks for card details and phone verification. We could not confirm Witham's closing-time extension rule from its published pages, so assume a late bid can extend the lot and bid your real maximum.
• Ramco runs sales on its own auction site and lists them on BidSpotter and i-bidder too. A bid in the last 5 minutes extends the close by 5 minutes. If you bid through BidSpotter or i-bidder instead of Ramco's site, check that platform's own fee.

Payment

Witham wants payment within 3 days of the invoice. It takes bank transfer, cash up to £9,000 with ID, and debit card in person. Card limits are low: credit card up to £150, and debit card by phone up to £500, so plan a bank transfer for any vehicle.

Ramco asks for payment once the sales order is issued and before goods are packed. Its general terms ask for cash or cleared funds.

Collection, delivery and registration

This is the biggest practical difference.

Witham expects you to collect within 7 days of the invoice, after which storage is £28 + VAT per lot per day. It does not advertise a delivery service, so for a vehicle you need a trailer, a recovery truck or a haulier. Ex-military vehicles are often sold without a UK registration. You register one with the DVLA as a first registration before using it on the road, and it will need an MOT (unless exempt by age), tax and insurance. See the ex-MoD buying guide and the glossary entry on the V5C.

Ramco's recent sales have been delivery-only, with no collections. Delivery is quoted by size and weight, with Parcelforce parcels starting at £16 including VAT. Storage after the deadline is £25 + VAT per pallet space per day. For small stores and clothing, delivery is convenient; for bulky lots, get the delivery quote before you bid.

Who each one suits

• Vehicle and plant buyers, restorers and 4x4 enthusiasts: Witham. It is where ex-Army Land Rovers, trucks and trailers are sold.
• Surplus clothing retailers, outdoor and prepper buyers, and anyone after MoD stores: Ramco.
• Buyers far from Lincolnshire: Ramco, because it delivers. With Witham, factor the trip to Grantham into your bid.
• Buyers watching the premium: Ramco's recent 20% beats Witham's 25%, but check both sale pages because both change.

Search both at once

GovAuctions indexes Witham and Ramco alongside the UK's industrial auctioneers, so you can search ex-MoD lots in one place and click through to the original sale to bid. Ex-military stock is grouped under military surplus, and every source we index is on the UK sources page. For how the big plant auctioneers compare, see NCM vs Eddisons vs BPI.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy ex-MoD Land Rovers?

Ex-MoD Land Rovers and other military vehicles are sold by Witham Specialist Vehicles, the MoD's sales and marketing agent, through timed online auctions at bid.mod-sales.com and occasional direct sales and tenders. Ramco sells MoD stores and clothing rather than vehicles.

What buyer's premium do Witham and Ramco charge?

In recent sales Witham charged 25% (minimum £10 per lot) and Ramco charged 20%, both with VAT on top. Both houses set the rate per sale, so check the sale's important-information page before bidding.

Does the MoD sell surplus directly to the public?

No. The Ministry of Defence sells surplus through appointed contractors. Witham handles vehicles and similar equipment, and Ramco holds the MoD commercial assets and textiles contracts. You register and bid with them, not with the MoD.

Do ex-military vehicles come with a V5C?

Often not. Many ex-military vehicles have never been registered in the UK, so there is no V5C. You apply to the DVLA for a first registration using the sale paperwork, and Witham charges £25 + VAT to replace a lost vehicle release document, so keep your sale paperwork.

Does Ramco deliver?

Yes. Ramco's recent sales have been delivery-only, with delivery quoted by size and weight and parcels from £16 including VAT. Witham does not advertise delivery and expects collection within 7 days.

Is buying ex-MoD surplus legal?

Yes. Items released for public sale have been cleared for disposal, and anyone can register and bid. Some equipment is demilitarised or sold with restrictions, which the lot description states.