No. 01
Trade Buyers
Used-car dealers buying stock at BCA or Manheim - fast collection means cars on the forecourt sooner and storage fees avoided.
Private Clientele · By Reputation
Reserved for the discerning few. You are not most drivers - and you do not weigh three quotes before you call.
Auction Pickup & Collection - Standard from £350 / Prestige Lot from £590
Bought a car at BCA, Copart, Manheim or a private auction site? Standard collection from £350 with non-runner winching. Prestige-lot tier - RM Sotheby's, Bonhams, Goodwood Revival and supercar auctions - from £590 with enclosed-trailer protocol, soft-strap chassis pickup and pre-load condition reports.
35MIN
Average arrival
Central London · measured monthly
32/32
London boroughs
28 postcodes daily · 24/7
4.9★
487+ reviews
Verified Google + Trustpilot
4.9/5 · 487+ reviews
Auction Pickup · From £350
35-min average response · 24/7
The short version
Auction Pickup done properly, the first time.
You get a fixed price before any driver moves. The closest qualified team is dispatched from our Central London control room, with the right equipment for your vehicle and the route already mapped around bus gates, ULEZ and tunnel diversions. No membership, no surcharges, no surprises when we pull up.
£350
Starting price
35 min
Avg response
32
Boroughs covered
4.9/5
Google rating
Insurance
£5m public liability + goods-in-transit
Compliance
Euro 6 fleet, ULEZ-clean
Trade
Direct employees, no subcontractors
Dispatch
One London control room, 24/7
Key Facts
Everything at a glance.
| Standard starting price | From £350 per pickup |
|---|---|
| Prestige-lot starting price | From £590 (RM Sotheby's, Bonhams, supercar auctions, prestige BCA/Copart lots) |
| Auctions covered | BCA, Copart, Manheim, ASM, eBid, Aston Barclay, private |
| Non-runners | Yes - winch loading included |
| Same-day dispatch | Subject to auction release time |
| Photo documentation | Pickup and drop-off photos on every job |
| Trailer | Open as standard, enclosed available |
| Coverage | Nationwide collection, London delivery |
| Payment | Card, bank transfer, business invoice |
Buying a car at auction is one of the more cost-effective ways to source a project vehicle, a salvage repair or a trade-stock piece. The catch is collection. Most auction houses give you 24-48 hours to clear the lot, after which storage charges kick in (£15-£25 per day at most major sites). Our auction collection service is designed around exactly that pressure point: fast dispatch, fixed price, and proper paperwork so the title transfer is clean.
We collect from every major UK auction operator. BCA Blackbushe is one of the largest in the south and we run a vehicle there several times a week. Copart Sandy and Sittingbourne are insurance-salvage focused - most lots are non-runners by definition, which is exactly what our winch-equipped trailers are for. Manheim Bedfordshire and Leeds, Aston Barclay, and the smaller private auctions in Essex and Kent are all routine for our drivers.
The most important thing about auction collection is the documentation. We photograph the car at the auction site before loading (showing odometer, VIN, exterior condition), photograph again on the trailer, and once more at the delivery point. This creates an evidence trail that protects both sides - if there's any dispute later about damage, mileage or condition, the photo set is timestamped and unambiguous.
The Auction Pickup promise
Quoted before we move. Fixed when we arrive. Done before you've had a coffee.
"When you call us about auction pickup, the price you hear on the phone is the price you'll pay. No 'depending on traffic'. No clipboard charge on arrival. No surprise fee for the bit we forgot to mention. That's the standard we hold ourselves to on every single call-out."
- Fixed price quoted before dispatch, written into the job ticket.
- One driver, one vehicle, one price - never a relay job.
- Insurance certificate available to view before pickup.
- Card, contactless, Apple Pay, Google Pay or invoice on the spot.
The Dispatch Team
Car Recovery in London
Step by step
How auction pickup works.
Send us the auction lot details
We'll need the auction house, lot number, release window, and delivery address. We can also handle the gate paperwork on your behalf if you supply a signed authority.
Same-day or next-day collection
Where the auction has released the lot in time, we collect same-day. Otherwise next-day pickup with photo documentation at the gate, on the trailer, and at delivery.
Delivered to your address
Drop-off at your home, your workshop, your dealer pitch, or wherever you've nominated - within the M25 included on the £350 rate; longer distances quoted separately.
Who calls us
Three customer types we help every week.
No. 02
Salvage Buyers
Cat S, Cat N, Cat C, Cat B repair specialists buying from Copart and IAA-Mobile. Almost always non-runners; winch loading and proper securing are essential.
No. 03
Private Buyers
Hobbyists, project-car buyers, and end-users who bought a non-running classic and need it home without a 200-mile recovery quote.
The cheapest quote on a London recovery is rarely the cheapest job. By the time you've added the surcharge, the ULEZ pass-through and the extra hour in traffic, a fixed price from a local team almost always wins.
- Lead controller, Central London dispatch Reserved for the discerning London driver
The right auction pickup - for the right kind of customer.
You haven't read this far because you're comparing prices. You've read this far because you've already decided that on a vehicle like yours, this is the only sensible call - and the only operator you would trust to make it.
Our customers are the people who do not negotiate the recovery of a £200,000 car the way they do not negotiate the surgeon, the wine, the tailor or the school. They recognise quality on first contact, and they pay for it without performance. The question for them is never "what is your cheapest rate". It is "can you be here, properly equipped, properly insured, in the time I have available" - and they know exactly why they are asking.
Booking us puts you in a clientele of London's prestige owners, City principals, Mayfair dealers, motorsport teams, family offices and private clients whose names we will never repeat. They do not advertise that they use us. They use us because the standard they set for themselves is invisible to anyone who has not already met it.
- A fixed price, agreed before any driver moves. We do not haggle - and you do not ask.
- Direct employees, answering to a London control room. Not a call queue in another country.
- Insurance certificates emailed in advance, the way you would expect them to be.
- Discretion by default. Unmarked transporters where the address requires it.
- Manufacturer-grade tooling, dealer-equivalent diagnostics, OEM-spec parts. No compromise behind the scenes.
- Same-day paperwork your insurer's claims handler will recognise as professional grade.
Book the auction pickup that matches the standard you already set for everything else you choose.
Coverage
Across all 32 boroughs.
We work every London postcode from EC1 to SE28. Whether you're in the City, Canary Wharf, Camden, or further out in Greenwich or Walthamstow, the call goes to our Central London control room and the closest available driver heads to you straight away.
- Central London priority dispatch
- ULEZ & Congestion Charge zone covered
- A12, A13, A406, M25 J25-J30
- Multi-storey car park access
Postcode coverage
EC1EC2EC3EC4WC1WC2E1E2E3E5E8E9E14E16E20N1N5N7N16N19N22NW1NW3NW5NW6NW8SE1SE5SE8SE10SE11SE14SE15SE16SE17SE18SW1SW3SW5SW6SW7SW8SW10SW11W1W2W6W8W11W14
From the technicians
Expert tips on auction pickup.
Things our lead technicians have learned across more than 10,000 London call-outs.
Check the release time before paying for collection
BCA and Manheim release lots only after settlement. If you've not paid the auction yet by 2pm, same-day collection won't happen - most lots clear at 4-5pm.
Bring or send a printed gate pass
Auction sites won't release a vehicle without the signed gate pass and ID matching the buyer name. Email this to us before pickup and we'll handle it on your behalf.
Photograph the car at the auction yourself if you can
Even though we photograph at pickup, a buyer-side photo set adds another layer of evidence. Auctions are sold as-seen and pre-loading photos are your only recourse for any post-sale dispute.
Don't try to drive a Cat S or Cat N car off the auction lot
Insurance salvage cars are explicitly sold without an MOT and without insurance to drive on the road. Driving one - even a mile to a tail-lift - is illegal. Always trailer it.
12 recent reviews · 4.9/5 average
What customers say about our auction pickup.
487+ verified Google reviews. A recent sample below, every one from a real London call-out.
Broken down on A13
Sept 2025
Broke down on the A13 heading into the city around 6am. Called these guys, driver Stuart was on scene in 28 minutes flat and had me towed to my mechanic in Bow. Fair price, no nonsense - exactly what I needed at that hour.
Flat battery in Canary Wharf NCP
Oct 2025
My car wouldn't start in the multi-storey car park at Canary Wharf and security wouldn't let any tow truck in. The recovery technician brought a portable jump pack down in person, got me started in five minutes and only charged £80. Lifesaver.
Sprinter van recovery, North Circular
Aug 2025
Sprinter went pop on the A406 with a full load of tools on board. Other companies wouldn't touch a loaded van or wanted £400+. These lot quoted me £280 over the phone, picked me up within 40 minutes and dropped both me and my tools home. Top tier.
Battery replacement, Islington
Nov 2025
AGM battery on my BMW 3 Series died overnight. Booked a mobile fitting on the same morning, technician Greg arrived with the correct battery already in the van. Coded it to the car, did an alternator check too. £255 all in.
Ferrari transport, Chelsea to Surrey
Jul 2025
Needed my 458 moved from Chelsea to a workshop in Surrey on an enclosed flatbed. White-glove service throughout - winched on without a scratch, fully insured paperwork emailed before they left. Pricey but absolutely worth it.
Jump-start, Hackney NCP
Oct 2025
Came back from a long weekend to find my Mini absolutely dead in Hackney NCP. AA wanted to me wait three hours. These guys had me running again in 35 minutes for a fixed £80. No subscription, no hassle.
BCA auction collection
Jun 2025
Bought a project car at BCA Blackbushe - wouldn't start when it came time to drive home. Rang Car Recovery in London, they collected it the same afternoon on a flatbed and dropped it at my unit in East London. Sorted.
Breakdown, Blackwall Tunnel approach
Sept 2025
Engine cut out at the worst possible moment - Blackwall Tunnel approach, southbound, in rush hour. They got someone to me in 22 minutes which honestly I didn't think was possible. Towed me to a safe location and then home. Fixed price even with the traffic.
Luton van breakdown, Stratford
Aug 2025
Self-employed builder, Luton van died in Stratford on a Saturday morning with a job booked for Monday. They turned up within an hour, recovered the van AND issued me a VAT invoice for the books. Proper professional outfit.
Porsche transport, Mayfair to workshop
Nov 2025
Needed my Porsche Cayman moved from Mayfair to a specialist workshop in Park Royal. Came in an enclosed trailer, used soft straps, sent through the insurance certificate before pickup. The whole experience felt premium from start to finish.
Jump-start, Westminster
Oct 2025
Flat battery outside a meeting in Westminster. Called at 10:15, technician was there by 10:45. Got me on my way for £85 with no membership faff. Will be using these instead of my AA cover from now on.
Battery replacement, Camden
Sept 2025
Had a Bosch S5 AGM fitted to my Audi A4 at home in Camden. Came on a Sunday, no extra charge. Battery has been faultless - and they coded it via the OBD port which my regular garage didn't even know how to do.
FAQ
Auction Pickup questions, answered.
Which auction sites do you collect from?
All major UK auction operators: BCA (Blackbushe, Bedford, Enfield, Walton, Paddock Wood), Copart (Sandy, Sittingbourne, Bristol, Newbury), Manheim (Bedfordshire, Leeds, Colchester, Wolverhampton), Aston Barclay, ASM, and any private auction site you can give us a postcode for.
Can you collect a non-runner from Copart?
Yes - Copart is primarily insurance-salvage stock, so most lots are non-runners. Our trailers are winch-equipped specifically for this. Mention 'non-runner' at booking so we send the right truck.
Will you handle the gate pass paperwork?
Yes. Email us the signed gate pass and your buyer ID and we'll present it at the auction office on your behalf. This is included in the standard collection fee - no extra charge for paperwork handling.
How quickly can you collect after I win a lot?
Same-day where the auction has released the lot before 2pm. Otherwise next-day. Storage fees at most auctions kick in 24 hours after the sale, so faster collection saves money.
What if the car has more damage than the auction listing showed?
Auctions are sold as-seen and our role is collection only - we cannot adjudicate condition disputes between you and the auction house. We will, however, photograph the car at pickup so you have evidence for any later complaint to the auction.
Do you collect from EU auction sites?
We coordinate with Continental partners for Belgian, Dutch and German auction collections. The price is quoted separately based on the auction location, ferry or tunnel route, and customs paperwork.
Can you store the car for me before delivery?
Short-term storage (1-7 days) can be arranged at our partner compound in East London. Longer storage is also available. Quoted separately based on duration.
Is the £350 rate the total price or the starting price?
It's the standard starting price for a Central London delivery from a London-area auction site. Longer collection routes (e.g. Copart Sandy to Central London) are around £450, and Edinburgh-to-London is closer to £900. Prestige-lot collections - RM Sotheby's, Bonhams, Goodwood Revival, supercar lots from BCA / Copart - start from £590 because of the enclosed-trailer protocol, twelve-angle pre-load condition reports and bespoke high-value insurance. Every job is fixed-price and quoted before dispatch.
Other services
Other recovery services you might need.
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Accident Recovery
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£250+per recovery
- Crashed & non-runners loaded by winch
- Insurance invoices issued same day
- Photos taken on scene for your claim
Why us
Why London drivers choose Car Recovery in London.
National firms run the same rate card from John o' Groats to Land's End. That works for the average call-out, but London isn't an average city. Bus gates, low-emission zones, height restrictions, road closures for events every other weekend, traffic that shifts by the half-hour - all of it adds up. A generic operator can't quote honestly without padding the price. We built this whole operation around London, on purpose, and you can see it in the small things that matter when you're stranded.
- Fixed pricing. Quoted before dispatch and written into the job ticket. No "depending on traffic", no clipboard surcharge.
- 35-minute average response. Real number, measured every month from call to wheels-on-truck.
- £5m public liability cover. Goods-in-transit included. Certificates available to view before pickup.
- Direct employees. Not subcontractors paid per job, so there's no rush-and-go incentive to cut corners.
- 32 boroughs, every day. 28 live postcodes with bus-gate and ULEZ data baked into the routing.
- One number, 24/7. Calls land in our Central London control room. No offshore call centre, no menu tree.
Pricing in context
What you actually pay for auction pickup.
Auction Pickup - from
£350
per pickup
That covers the most common version of this job inside our standard service area. Specialist requirements (out-of-hours dispatch, longer distance, prestige or extra-heavy vehicle, awkward access) can add a fixed top-up - and we'll always quote it before a driver leaves the depot.
Compare it to AA or RAC's rolling-membership model. You pay £180-£260 a year for cover that may or may not include the situation you're actually in. For most drivers without a fleet, paying as you go from £350 only when you need it works out cheaper over time. The maths is simple: if you break down once every two years, you've spent £400+ on membership fees for a job that would have cost you a single £350 call-out.
See full transparent pricing on the pricing page, where every service line is laid out with included distances, off-peak vs out-of-hours rates, and example totals for common scenarios. Or if you want to see how our rates compare to membership cover, our blog post "How much does car recovery cost in London (2025)" works through real examples.
Available right now
Need auction pickup now?
Tap below to reach our 24/7 dispatch line. Average response in Central London is 35 minutes. Fixed price from £350.