Top 6 Car Auction Services in Ottawa
If you’ve got your heart set on particularly unique or hard-to-source cars, your best bet would be at a car auction service in Ottawa. The auction system can also offer you other advantages that regular car dealerships can’t.
We’re sure you’re wondering about related costs at car auctions, so we’ll be taking a look at that in the next section.
For other auction concerns, there’s a list of handy FAQs at the end of this listicle.
Is a Car Auction in Ottawa Costly?
Thankfully, the fees typically involved with a car auction in Ottawa aren’t steep. We looked up some of the common ones in the region along with their average costs.
Car auction houses might offer other fees for pre-sale and post-sale services, too. For instance, vehicle inspections, condition reports, storage fees, dent repairs, and remote seller options could be subject to different pricing tiers per auction house.
With modern technology offering speedier and more convenient access to car auctions, apps and real-time notifications are now also available for buyers and sellers alike. Luckily, most of these apps are free to download and use.
The Top Car Auction Services in Ottawa
Ready to see what the top car auction services in Ottawa can do to help you get the car of your dreams? We selected the ones in this listicle using the following criteria:
1. Flipped
Helmed by true car enthusiasts, Flipped provides a convenient platform that utilizes the same kind of auction technology that car dealers use. The difference is that it promises customers to sell, buy, or trade-in cars in less than 24 hours.
Its platform is free to use and clients have zero obligations to sell if they can’t agree on a deal. If a deal is successful, Flipped will charge a “small success fee” to keep its company going.
The downside is that it doesn’t list how much its success fees are, so you’ll have to contact them about this for more info. It would’ve been nice if they gave proper estimates, though.
New or used car buyers can find more choices here than they would at a local dealership. There’s a wide range of makes and body types that potential customers can browse through along with several payment options.
Most verified client feedback mentions the speed and ease they experienced with the company’s system. Still, it would be good to have an app version of its platform for added convenience.
Pros
- Convenient, speedy platform
- Free listing, zero obligations
- Has trade-in services
- Two physical locations
Cons
- No available apps
- Doesn’t mention its success fees
- No BBB accreditation
Customer Reviews
Excellent experience, communication was great
“Excellent experience using flipped. Needed to sell my car in a hurry and it was gone within a few days, fast and easy. Communication from Jason was great! Would recommend.” – Maverick Burwash
Got a fair price, felt more comfortable selling to a dealer than a private buyer
“Happy with the outcome of selling my car on flipped. Jason at flipped helped ease stress when I had to sell a vehicle quickly before a big move. I feel that I got a fair price and felt more comfortable selling to a dealer rather than a private buyer whose funds I may not trust.” – Simrin Nagpal
2. Impact Auto Auctions
Impact Auto Auctions specializes in salvage auto auctions with services for buyers, sellers, and vendors. It uses a proprietary hybrid auction technology that allows people from across Canada and all over the world to bid or buy live or online weekly.
There are several ways for buyers to get started on the auction lanes at any of its 14 locations. They can do internet bidding (auction now), timed auctions, buy now, auto bid, or via site sales.
Its seller services aim to facilitate efficient sales of salvage, total-loss, recovered-theft, fleet lease and rental vehicles. To achieve this, Impact Auto Auctions has partnered with insurance companies, dealerships, manufacturers, rental car companies, and fleet & lease companies.
Its services can be used by anyone with a Canadian-drawn bank account, including international buyers. Unfortunately, it doesn’t support debit cards or VISA payments.
The company has a multilingual Buyers Services arm that can assist clients in English, French, Polish, and other languages on request. That’s a definite plus for us.
There’s also a helpdesk that can be reached by phone or email from Monday through Saturday with accommodations for after-hours emergency concerns.
Pros
- 14 locations across Canada
- Multilingual buyers’ assistance
- Accommodates both live and online buying/bidding
- Helpdesk available from Monday to Saturday
Cons
- Focused on salvage auto auctions only
- Doesn’t support VISA or debit card payments
- No BBB accreditation
Customer Reviews
The app is very easy to use
“Great bidding experience! This app is very easy to use!” – Jeff Goluszka
User friendly
“Excellent bidding experience. User friendly.” – Irene Fajardo
3. EBlock
The promise of selling cars “in 60 seconds” might seem lofty, but this is exactly what EBlock swears it could do. It was established in 2016 with the goal of simplifying and streamlining the car buying, selling, and appraising experience.
Its live virtual lanes have set starting times to allow buyers to focus on the vehicles they’re interested in. Staying true to the energy of auctions, buyers can prepare and organize their bidding process in advance which results in more vehicles being bought and sold speedily.
There are timed auctions by the hour that also have set ending times. Meanwhile, Grounded Auction vehicles can be mandatorily reserved and have starting prices with all units ending at the same time every day.
There’s a transparent bidding environment and tailored notifications which we appreciate with EBlock. Plus, its post-auction services are welcome since transportation, title processing, and arbitration could require some assistance.
We just wish they provided their service fees somewhere on the website.
Pros
- Fast and responsive live auction
- Gives tailored notifications
- Post-auction services are available
Cons
- Operates on weekdays only
- Doesn’t list its service fees
- No BBB accreditation
Customer Reviews
Work very hard to make customers happy
“Ryan, Warren and their team are a great mix of people who all work very hard in making their customers happy and also being profitable while doing it. I have been with them since the first live auction and I can’t praise enough how hard they all work.” – David Watson
No other platform technology compares
“The best online Dealer-Dealer Auction in Canada bar none. I have yet to try another platform whose technology remotely compares.” – Andrew Lemoine
4. Rideau Auctions and Liquidation Centre
Having been around for at least three decades, Rideau Auctions has a liquidation centre, a sales arena, warehousing, offices, and even a canteen on its premises.
The liquidation centre is open from Mondays to Saturdays with capacity in accordance with Ontario regulations. Given the current pandemic, however, all auctions are conducted online temporarily.
Its Facebook page mentions upcoming auction events for public vehicles so it’s helpful to check it out every now and then. Pictures of auction items are typically uploaded on the page, too.
There are public countdown auctions that carry houseware, jewelry, lighting, electronics, and other biddable items. Rideau Auctions conducts online-only auctions for public vehicles and equipment while viewing and picking up furniture are on a by-appointment basis.
It’s great that there’s a liquidation centre that carries everyday items for discounted in-store shopping. But we think it would be better if they’re open on weekends and have some price guide or online catalogue available for virtual browsing, as well.
Pros
- Everyday items available for in-store shopping
- Facebook page announces public vehicle auctions
- Wide range of biddable items in public auctions
Cons
- No auction hours on weekends
- Public vehicles available for online auctions only
- No BBB accreditation
Customer Reviews
Well stocked and reasonably priced
“The Auctions are always well stocked and reasonably priced, but I wish their electronics auctions were more frequent.” – Jerod Dobos
Excellent friendly service, good selection of products
“Excellent friendly service with a good selection of products. Staff helped me load furniture items into my truck with a forklift. Will be returning back for more auctions.” – Dan Ermolaev
5. Adesa
ADESA Canada has been providing wholesale vehicle auction solutions since 1989. The company has partnered with reputable auto remarketing industry professionals to bring customers end-to-end vehicle remarketing services.
Its customers include franchise and independent dealers, financial institutions, fleet managers, vehicle manufacturers, and rental companies. ADESA now employs over 11,000 people in its more than 75 auction sites and offices all over North America.
Aside from wholesale auctions, the company also conducts off-lease and rental auctions. This enables dealers to access fresh rental vehicles that were previously offered only to franchise dealers via closed sales.
Those on the lookout for luxury vehicles could find them via ADESA, as well. Its TopLine Luxury service is dedicated to giving luxury cars greater visibility and providing comprehensive services like financing, warranty, and seamless transportation.
ADESA has a handy all-in-one mobile app where clients can see everything from specific vehicle info to run lists. A quick look at some of the user reviews for the app shows a mixed bag of feedback, with some comments about bad audio and bugs.
To get started with any ADESA vehicle auction, you must first register as a dealer. If you aren’t one, you can always participate in any of the company’s public auctions.
Pros
- Three locations in Canada
- All in one mobile app is available
- Comprehensive remarketing services for dealers
- Has a dedicated luxury vehicle auction
Cons
- Registration as a dealer required to participate
- Some user complaints about the app
- No BBB accreditation
Customer Reviews
Very happy with the sale price
“Sold my truck no problem was very happy with the sale price. Dave was super professional, courteous, always kept me up to date. would highly recommend bo problem.” – Michael J. Weber
Everyone knows each other by the first name
“Been going to Adesa Since I Was 5 Years Old With My Dad!!! Let me tell you every Employee in That building makes you feel a part of the family!! So many faces so many names yet everyone knows each other by the first name and even knew when my son was born! My son will now get to go to Adesa just like I did!!! Greg, You Run a Great Place!” – Bhava Dillon
6. Fast Car Bids
If you are selling your car or looking for a cheap, yet steal deal somewhere in Ottawa, then go out and check Fast Car Bids to check out your next car deal.
Built on passion about cars, Fast Car Bids offers a platform for enthusiasts to sell and buy cars where an exciting and interactive format is applied: bidding and auction! One of the first of its kind in Canada, Fast Car Bids offers no scrolling through American-dominated car sites. One of the main benefits is that business is focused in Canada.
Selling is easy as its process only deals with putting information about your car, then submitting it for a review. After a while, upon approval, it should appear in lists. Fees will apply for listing with reserve or none. For buyers, specific increments are specified, depending on the base price of the car that you are bidding for.
Although the bidding system is helpful, there are disadvantages to this as bidding can be long and stressful, especially if other bidders are eyeing your desired car.
Overall, if you are looking for a deal via auction, the Fast Car Bids can surely be the next platform that can service your deals.
Pros
- Easy to navigate
- Easy to sell cars
- Auction method
- Canada-based
Cons
- Stressful along the auction process, if other bidders are planning to buy
- More complex pricing, depending on the increments and base prices
- Canadian-only
FAQs About Car Auction in Ottawa
The top car auction services in Ottawa can help you buy the car of your dreams or sell the one you no longer need. If you have a car auction to recommend, we’ll be glad to hear all about it.
We also have other car-related reviews to recommend: