UK Government Auction Guides & Buying Tips
Everything you need to know about buying from UK government & surplus auctions — ex-MoD kit, police and council surplus, VAT and buyer's premium.
Best UK Government Auction Sites & Auctioneers (2026): Ranked & Compared
The UK has no single government auction website. We compare the auction houses that handle MoD, police and council surplus — Wilsons Auctions, John Pye, Ramco, govsales.co.uk and more — with buyer's premiums, inventory and what each is best for.
How to Buy Ex-MoD & Ex-Government Vehicles in the UK (2026)
A practical guide to buying ex-military and ex-government vehicles at UK auction — ex-MoD Land Rovers and trucks, ex-police cars and council vans. Where to find them, viewing, VAT, registration and getting them road-legal.
UK Government Surplus Auctions Explained (2026): How They Work
How UK government and public-sector surplus auctions work — who sells what, the main auction houses, the VAT and buyer's premium you'll pay, and how to find a bargain across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
UK Police Property & Seized Goods Auctions (2026): How to Buy Legally
How UK police auctions work — the difference between lost property and POCA-seized goods, who sells them (Wilsons, John Pye, force eBay shops), what you'll find, and how to buy confiscated and unclaimed items legally.
VAT & Buyer's Premium at UK Auctions Explained (2026)
The two charges that catch out UK auction buyers: buyer's premium and VAT. How 'plus VAT' lots, the VAT margin scheme, and premium-plus-VAT work — with worked examples so you know your true cost before you bid.