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5 Best Car Auction in Sydney (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

Talise Sterling
By Talise Sterling, Goods and Shopping · ✓ Data verified July 2026 · 8 min read

Buying at auction can save you real money on a used car, if you know where to bid and what fees to expect. Sydney's auction scene runs from big national houses to dealer-only yards out west, plus a couple of listings that aren't about cars at all. We scored the ones with a genuine Google track record and flagged exactly what each sells.

Short answer: Grays at Arndell Park leads on sheer scale: 4.1 stars across 1,522 reviews, the busiest auto-auction name in Sydney. CarNet Auctions at Smithfield (4.3) and Auto Auctions at Old Guildford (4.4) both buy and sell cars on strong volume, and Carlins Automotive Auctioneers (4.6) runs dealer-only sales with a 60-year history. One name here, First State Auctions, is a jewellery and collectibles house, not cars, so we've flagged it.
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Sydney's auction names, side by side

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 Grays Arndell Park 4.1 1,522 The biggest range / most listings View ›
2 CarNet Auctions Smithfield 4.3 825 Buying and selling used cars View ›
3 Auto Auctions 4.4 507 Interstate and hassle-free buying View ›
4 First State Auctions 4.7 339 Jewellery and collectibles, not cars View ›
5 Carlins Automotive Auctioneers 4.6 264 Dealer-only auctions / long track record View ›
5 Best Car Auction in Sydney (2026)

Where Sydney buys and sells cars

Grays Arndell Park logo
#1 Overall🕑 Open 5 days/wk

Grays Arndell Park

4.11,522 Google reviews

Grays is one of Australia's best-known auction companies, and its Arndell Park site in Western Sydney is the local hub for its car sales. It runs online auto auctions across a huge, constantly changing catalogue, with weekday inspection and pickup at the yard. As the highest-volume name here, it's where a lot of Sydney buyers start, though the scale means the experience can vary from one lot to the next.

What people praise

  • On-site staff, Sheralee, Emin, Justin, and Joey among them, get repeated praise for going out of their way
  • A large, varied catalogue that turns over constantly
  • Helpful inspection and pickup support once you're at the yard

Worth knowing

  • The lowest rating on this list, with a notable share of one-star reviews, so read the lot details and terms carefully
Reputation scorecardrank in Sydney
Rating4.1 / 5
Review volume1,522 · 97th
Confidencehigh
Recency5 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown67% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: It ranks first on volume alone, not on rating, since its 4.1 is the lowest here. For selection it's unmatched in Sydney, but go in informed and inspect before you bid.

5 Holbeche Rd, Arndell Park NSW 2148

CarNet Auctions Smithfield logo
#2🕑 Open 6 days/wk

CarNet Auctions Smithfield

4.3825 Google reviews

CarNet Auctions runs a Smithfield yard in Western Sydney that both auctions cars and operates as a used-car dealer, so you can buy off the lot or sell your own vehicle through them. Reviewers describe a low-pressure process and staff, Tony and Shane come up often, who follow up and handle the paperwork end to end. It keeps longer hours than the dealer-only houses, including Saturdays.

What people praise

  • Staff, especially Tony, praised for honest, no-pressure service and staying late to help
  • A smooth, stress-free process for both buyers and sellers
  • Cars presented well and described accurately, per reviewers
  • Open Saturdays, unlike the dealer-only auction houses

Worth knowing

  • It's a busy yard with a share of critical reviews, so confirm the car's condition and terms before you commit
Reputation scorecardrank in Sydney
Rating4.3 / 5
Review volume825 · 92th
Confidencehigh
Recency4 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown76% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A strong all-rounder for everyday used-car buying and selling, ranking second on solid volume and a 4.3.

211-221 Cumberland Hwy, Smithfield NSW 2164

Auto Auctions logo
#3🕑 Open 6 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Auto Auctions

4.4507 Google reviews

Auto Auctions operates from Old Guildford near Granville in Western Sydney, buying and selling cars including electric vehicles, and it's set up well for interstate buyers who can't inspect in person. Reviewers describe video walk-arounds, clear communication, and staff, Matt and Seth among them, who manage everything from inspection to pickup. It also handles quick car sales for people offloading a vehicle.

What people praise

  • Video inspections and clear updates that reassured interstate buyers
  • Fast, transparent car sales, with some completed inside a week
  • Staff, Matt especially, credited for going the extra mile, including station pickups
  • Consistent owner responses to reviews and follow-through

Worth knowing

  • As with any high-volume yard, a minority of reviewers had less smooth experiences, so keep a record of what's agreed
Reputation scorecardrank in Sydney
Rating4.4 / 5
Review volume507 · 87th
Confidencehigh
Recency5 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown75% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A dependable pick, particularly if you're buying from out of state. It ranks third on a 4.4 and 507 reviews.

682 Woodville Rd, Old Guildford NSW 2161

First State Auctions logo
#4🕑 Open 5 days/wk

First State Auctions

4.7339 Google reviews

First State Auctions is a Sydney CBD auction house on York Street, and it's the odd one out on this list: its catalogues run to designer handbags, fine and second-hand jewellery, and collectible pieces, not cars. Bidding is online with a fresh catalogue each week, and reviewers rate the ease of the process and the quality of the items. It surfaces under Sydney auction searches, but if you're after a vehicle, it isn't the place.

What people praise

  • A user-friendly online bidding process and a weekly catalogue
  • Rare and one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces, some well below new prices
  • Items that arrive well-packaged and match their photos and descriptions

Worth knowing

  • This is a jewellery and collectibles auction house, not a car auction
Reputation scorecardrank in Sydney
Rating4.7 / 5
Review volume339 · 66th
Confidencehigh
Recency4 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown88% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: It carries the highest rating here, a 4.7, but it doesn't sell cars, so it's listed for transparency rather than as a car-auction pick. For jewellery and designer goods, it's genuinely well regarded.

Level 10/33 York St, Sydney NSW 2000

Carlins Automotive Auctioneers logo
#5🕑 Open 6 days/wk

Carlins Automotive Auctioneers

4.6264 Google reviews

Carlins Automotive Auctioneers has been running since 1960 and holds dealer-only vehicle auctions weekly across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, with its Sydney base at Girraween. Alongside the trade auctions, it buys cars and can source specific vehicles buyers are after, and it lists wholesale and retail stock online. The dealer-only format means it's aimed more at the trade than walk-in retail buyers.

What people praise

  • A 60-plus-year reputation and a large, multi-state catalogue
  • Salespeople, Chris in particular, praised as honest, patient, and never pushy
  • Cars prepped and delivered as promised, with minor fixes handled
  • Clear communication through the buying process

Worth knowing

  • Auctions are dealer-only and online, so it's less suited to a casual first-time retail buyer
Reputation scorecardrank in Sydney
Rating4.6 / 5
Review volume264 · 55th
Confidencehigh
Recency2 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown84% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The highest-rated genuine car auction here at 4.6, ranking fifth only because its review volume is the smallest. Best for trade buyers or anyone wanting a long-established name.

169 Magowar Rd, Girraween NSW 2145

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Watch: 5 Best Car Auction in Sydney (2026)

How we ranked them

The figures come from Google, not from us. Rating is each business’s live average. Volume is how many customers rated them, ranked against the others. Confidence combines the two, so a solid score on over a thousand reviews outweighs a higher score on a few hundred. Recency tracks how lately people keep reviewing. Nobody can pay to change these numbers, and we’ve flagged where a listing sells something other than cars.

What does buying at a Sydney car auction cost? (2026)

The hammer price is only part of it. Auctions typically add a buyer’s premium or fees on top of your winning bid, and you’ll usually pay for transfer, registration, and any inspection or transport yourself. Dealer-only auctions are open to licensed traders rather than the public, which changes who can bid. Always read the specific auction’s fee schedule and terms before you register, since these vary by house and by lot.

Where Sydney’s auctions are

The car auctions concentrate in Greater Western Sydney: Grays at Arndell Park, CarNet at Smithfield, Auto Auctions at Old Guildford near Granville, and Carlins at Girraween, all within the western motorway belt. First State’s jewellery auctions run from the CBD on York Street. A search for car auctions near me in Sydney will point you west.

What to sort out before you bid

  • What buyer’s premium or fees apply on top of the hammer price?
  • Is this auction open to the public or dealers only?
  • Can I inspect the car, or get a condition report or video, before bidding?
  • What paperwork, transfer, and registration costs fall to me?
  • Is there any warranty or cooling-off period, or is it sold as-is?
  • How and when do I collect the vehicle after winning?

Frequently asked questions

Are these rankings paid?

No. The order comes from public Google data, each business’s live rating and review count. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner for a badge and top placement, but that never changes another listing’s score or position.

Why is a jewellery auction on a car-auction list?

Transparency. Google’s results for auctions in Sydney mix categories, and First State Auctions ranked in on volume even though it sells jewellery and collectibles, not cars. We left it in and clearly flagged it so you don’t waste a trip.

Can the public buy at these auctions?

It depends on the house. Grays, CarNet, and Auto Auctions sell to the public, while Carlins runs dealer-only trade auctions. Always check who’s eligible to bid before you register.

How did you choose these five?

We ranked Sydney auction businesses with a real Google track record on rating, review volume, confidence, and recency. We don’t buy or bid ourselves; we weigh what customers reported.

How often is this updated?

Ratings and review counts were verified in July 2026 and refreshed as Google data changes.

Bottom line

For the widest choice of cars, Grays at Arndell Park has the scale, so just inspect and read the terms first. CarNet and Auto Auctions are the friendlier all-rounders for buying or selling a used car, and Carlins is the long-established dealer-only name. Skip First State unless you’re shopping for jewellery, and always budget for the buyer’s premium on top of your bid.

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