Beyond the roar of the gavel lies a multi-billion-dollar global machine, as the car auction industry—fueled by digital transformation and record sales volumes—continues to reshape the automotive landscape at a staggering scale.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. auto auction industry generated $92.5 billion in wholesale sales revenue in 2022.
- Global online car auction market size reached $45.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $78.6 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 8.2%.
- Manheim Auctions reported $58 billion in sales volume for dealer-to-dealer transactions in 2022.
- Manheim sold 3.2 million vehicles at auction in 2023.
- Copart auctioned 2.1 million vehicles globally in fiscal 2023.
- IAA sold 1.8 million salvage and clean title vehicles in 2023.
- 85% of U.S. auto dealers participated in auctions at least once in 2023.
- 42% of auction buyers were independent dealers in the U.S. in 2023.
- Franchise dealers bought 38% of vehicles at wholesale auctions in 2023.
- U.S. auction inventory included 45% sedans and coupes in 2023.
- SUVs and crossovers comprised 32% of wholesale auction sales in U.S. 2023.
- Pickup trucks represented 18% of U.S. auction volume in 2023.
- U.S. wholesale used car prices rose 2.1% YoY in 2023.
- Online bidding participation grew 28% in U.S. auctions in 2023.
- EV auction prices depreciated 15% faster than gas cars in 2023.
The global auto auction industry is a multi-billion dollar market experiencing rapid digital growth.
Dealer & Buyer Participation
- 85% of U.S. auto dealers participated in auctions at least once in 2023.
- 42% of auction buyers were independent dealers in the U.S. in 2023.
- Franchise dealers bought 38% of vehicles at wholesale auctions in 2023.
- Public buyers accounted for 15% of U.S. auction purchases in 2023.
- Exporters purchased 12% of U.S. auction vehicles for international markets in 2023.
- 67% of U.K. dealers used online auctions as primary sourcing in 2023.
- Fleet operators sold 28% of their vehicles via auctions in Europe 2023.
- Women represented 22% of registered auction bidders in the U.S. in 2023.
- Average U.S. dealer attended 5.2 auctions per month in 2023.
- 55% of Brazilian dealers sourced inventory from auctions in 2023.
- Australian exporters bought 35% of auction vehicles for Asia-Pacific in 2023.
- 48% of Indian used car dealers used digital auctions in 2023.
- Canadian dealers averaged 4.8 auction purchases per quarter in 2023.
- South African small dealers comprised 60% of auction participants in 2023.
- Chinese platforms saw 75% millennial buyers in auctions 2023.
- Mexican exporters took 18% of auction lots in 2023.
- German corporate buyers accounted for 32% of auction volume in 2023.
- French lease companies sold via auctions at 45% rate in 2023.
- Italian independent dealers bought 52% of auction cars in 2023.
- Spanish public sector vehicles were 8% of auction supply in 2023.
- Turkish exporters dominated with 25% of auction buys in 2023.
- UAE retail buyers were 20% of auction participants in 2023.
- Singaporean investors bought 15% of luxury auction lots in 2023.
- NZ small businesses made up 40% of Turners buyers in 2023.
Dealer & Buyer Participation Interpretation
The global car auction arena is a vibrant, data-driven bazaar where nearly everyone's at the table—from the U.S. dealer dashing to five sales a month and the U.K. trader clicking 'bid' online, to the Turkish exporter shipping overseas and the millennial on a Chinese app—proving that whether you're moving metal in Brazil or bidding in the UAE, the wheels of commerce are always turning.
Market Size & Revenue
- The U.S. auto auction industry generated $92.5 billion in wholesale sales revenue in 2022.
- Global online car auction market size reached $45.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $78.6 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 8.2%.
- Manheim Auctions reported $58 billion in sales volume for dealer-to-dealer transactions in 2022.
- The European used car auction market was valued at €25.4 billion in 2023.
- Copart's total revenue from vehicle sales hit $3.9 billion in fiscal year 2023.
- IAA (Insurance Auto Auctions) generated $1.2 billion in service revenue in 2022.
- U.S. public auto auction sales totaled $12.8 billion in 2023.
- The salvage vehicle auction segment contributed $15.7 billion to the industry in 2022.
- Ritchie Bros. auctioned vehicles worth CAD 4.5 billion in 2023.
- ADESA auctions processed $28.4 billion in wholesale volume in 2022.
- U.S. dealer-only auction market size was $75 billion in 2023.
- Online platforms accounted for 35% of total auto auction revenue, equating to $32 billion globally in 2023.
- Japanese used car export auctions generated ¥3.2 trillion ($22 billion USD) in 2022.
- U.K. fleet and lease auction market valued at £5.6 billion in 2023.
- Brazil's auto auction industry reached R$18.4 billion ($3.7 billion USD) in 2023.
- Australia's public car auction sales hit AUD 2.1 billion in 2022.
- India's emerging car auction market size was INR 45,000 crore ($5.4 billion) in 2023.
- Canada's wholesale auto auction revenue totaled CAD 15.2 billion in 2023.
- South Africa's used car auction turnover was ZAR 42 billion in 2023.
- China's online auto auction platform revenue reached CNY 120 billion ($17 billion) in 2023.
- Mexico's auto auction industry generated MXN 95 billion ($5.2 billion) in 2022.
- Germany's remarketing auction sales volume valued at €18.9 billion in 2023.
- France's used vehicle auction market was €12.3 billion in 2023.
- Italy's auto auction revenue hit €4.7 billion in 2023.
- Spain's public and dealer auctions totaled €3.2 billion in 2023.
- Turkey's used car auction market size was TRY 250 billion ($8.5 billion) in 2023.
- UAE's luxury car auction sales reached AED 2.8 billion ($760 million) in 2023.
- Singapore's imported used car auction turnover was SGD 1.5 billion in 2023.
- New Zealand's auction market generated NZD 1.2 billion in 2023.
- U.S. auto auction industry is expected to reach $110 billion by 2027.
Market Size & Revenue Interpretation
It seems the world's drivers are endlessly trading in their old metal with the solemn, high-stakes gravitas of nations exchanging crown jewels, all while generating enough revenue to fund a small planetary exploration program.
Sales Volume & Transactions
- Manheim sold 3.2 million vehicles at auction in 2023.
- Copart auctioned 2.1 million vehicles globally in fiscal 2023.
- IAA sold 1.8 million salvage and clean title vehicles in 2023.
- ADESA processed 1.5 million wholesale transactions in 2023.
- U.S. public auto auctions sold 8.4 million cars in 2023.
- Ritchie Bros. hammered down 450,000 transportation assets including cars in 2023.
- BCA Europe auctioned 1.2 million vehicles in 2023.
- Japanese auctions exported 1.4 million used cars in 2023.
- U.K. dealer auctions transacted 2.3 million vehicles in 2023.
- Brazil's Copart Brasil sold 250,000 vehicles in 2023.
- Australia's Manheim auctions sold 650,000 units in 2023.
- India's platform auctions like CarTrade handled 180,000 cars in 2023.
- Canada's ADESA auctions sold 420,000 vehicles in 2023.
- South Africa's AutoBid sold 120,000 vehicles in 2023.
- China's Guazi auctions transacted 900,000 used cars in 2023.
- Mexico's Acomparador auctions handled 95,000 cars in 2023.
- Germany's BCA sold 450,000 vehicles in 2023.
- France's Aramisauto auctions processed 280,000 units in 2023.
- Italy's CronoCar sold 150,000 vehicles at auction in 2023.
- Spain's Clicars auctions transacted 110,000 cars in 2023.
- Turkey's Arabam.com auctions sold 320,000 units in 2023.
- UAE's DubiCars auctions handled 45,000 vehicles in 2023.
- Singapore's BCA sold 28,000 imported cars in 2023.
- New Zealand's Turners Auctions sold 95,000 vehicles in 2023.
- U.S. wholesale auction average price per vehicle was $21,450 in Q4 2023.
- Online auto auctions accounted for 65% of total U.S. transaction volume in 2023.
- Salvage auctions represented 22% of total U.S. vehicle sales volume in 2023.
Sales Volume & Transactions Interpretation
Despite the global economy’s best efforts to splutter, the sheer, gavel-banging volume of cars changing hands at auction suggests that the world remains stubbornly, profitably, and often digitally, in gear.
Trends & Projections
- U.S. wholesale used car prices rose 2.1% YoY in 2023.
- Online bidding participation grew 28% in U.S. auctions in 2023.
- EV auction prices depreciated 15% faster than gas cars in 2023.
- Wholesale conversion rates hit 68% average across U.S. auctions in 2023.
- Global auto auction digitalization rate reached 72% in 2023.
- U.K. auction prices increased 4.5% due to supply shortages in 2023.
- Japanese used car auction prices for exports rose 7% in 2023.
- Brazil saw 12% surge in auction volumes post-pandemic in 2023.
- Australian market projected to grow 5.3% CAGR to 2028.
- India's used car auction market to expand at 15% CAGR through 2027.
- Canada expects 3.8% annual growth in auction volumes to 2025.
- South Africa projects 6.2% CAGR for auto auctions to 2030.
- China online auctions forecasted to double by 2027.
- Mexico auction market growth at 9.1% CAGR 2023-2028.
- Germany anticipates EV share in auctions to hit 12% by 2025.
- France projects hybrid vehicle rise to 18% in auctions by 2026.
- Italy expects luxury segment growth of 8% annually to 2027.
- Spain forecasts online auction share to 80% by 2025.
- Turkey used car auctions to grow 11% YoY through 2025.
- UAE luxury auctions projected to reach $1.2B by 2027.
- Singapore expects import auction stabilization post-2024.
- New Zealand auctions forecast 4.5% growth to 2026.
Trends & Projections Interpretation
The auction block is becoming a digital stage where, despite the sluggish march of electric values and the stubborn dance of supply and demand, a global cast of bidders is enthusiastically raising their virtual paddles to chase both growth and elusive used cars.
Vehicle Inventory & Types
- U.S. auction inventory included 45% sedans and coupes in 2023.
- SUVs and crossovers comprised 32% of wholesale auction sales in U.S. 2023.
- Pickup trucks represented 18% of U.S. auction volume in 2023.
- Salvage vehicles made up 25% of Copart's total inventory in 2023.
- Clean title cars were 55% of IAA auction listings in 2023.
- Electric vehicles (EVs) increased to 4.2% of U.S. auction inventory in 2023.
- Luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes were 12% of European auctions in 2023.
- Japanese imports dominated with 60% of export auction lots in 2023.
- Fleet vehicles accounted for 35% of U.K. auction supply in 2023.
- Diesel vehicles were 28% of Brazilian auction inventory in 2023.
- 4WD vehicles comprised 22% of Australian auction sales in 2023.
- Hybrids rose to 6.5% in Indian auction listings in 2023.
- Repossessions were 15% of Canadian auction inventory in 2023.
- Right-hand drive cars were 40% in South African auctions in 2023.
- Domestic sedans dominated Chinese auctions at 48% in 2023.
- Compact cars were 35% of Mexican auction lots in 2023.
- Premium SUVs hit 25% in German auctions in 2023.
- Minivans dropped to 5% of French auction inventory in 2023.
- Sports cars were 8% of Italian auction supply in 2023.
- Electric vehicles reached 3.8% in Spanish auctions in 2023.
- Pickups accounted for 30% of Turkish auction volume in 2023.
- Supercars were 2.5% of UAE luxury auction inventory in 2023.
- Asian brands dominated Singapore auctions at 55% in 2023.
- Utes and vans were 20% of NZ auction listings in 2023.
- Average auction vehicle age was 4.8 years in U.S. 2023.
Vehicle Inventory & Types Interpretation
The global auction lanes reveal a fascinating story: while the sedans cling to a nostalgic majority, SUVs and pickups steadily advance like fashionable, practical invaders, electric vehicles are the quiet but persistent newcomers gate-crashing the party, and every region—from Brazil’s diesel reliance to Italy’s sports car passion—stubbornly insists on its own automotive personality.
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