Auction tools · BCA · UK fee tables
BCA fee calculator
Enter your bid to see the BCA buyer's fee, VAT on the hammer and the true all-in cost before you bid. Standard (MyBCA) rates, updated for 2026.
Copart and BCA are trademarks of their respective owners. CarMate is not affiliated with them; fees shown are independent estimates.
Fee tiers are approximate and include VAT. Verify current rates on the auction platform before bidding.
Before you bid, check the car's history
The fees are only half the cost. A BCA lot can still carry outstanding finance or hidden write-off markers on top of the damage category. A History Check reveals finance, write-off, stolen and mileage records from the reg, backed by a data guarantee from £10,000.
Checking a lot of cars this month?
If you're buying to sell, running each one manually adds up. CarMate Trade lets you check a whole list of regs at once and keeps them in one place, with the verdict, the numbers and where each deal's at. It's not live yet. Want it? Tell us and we'll let you know first.
Want the full picture on a specific lot?
CarMate analyses the actual BCA or Copart listing: damage assessment, repair estimate, max bid recommendation, and the all-in cost. All in one report.
BCA buyer fee tiers (Standard / MyBCA)
BCA charges a tiered buyer's premium on top of the hammer price. These are the Standard (MyBCA) rates most private and occasional buyers pay. All fees include VAT. Trade buyers on Silver or Gold accounts pay less.
BCA Buyer's Premium
| Hammer Price | Buyer's Fee (inc. VAT) |
|---|---|
| Under £1,000 | £324 flat (inc. VAT) |
| £1,000 – £1,999 | £564 flat (inc. VAT) |
| £2,000 – £2,999 | £630 flat (inc. VAT) |
| £3,000 – £3,999 | £751 flat (inc. VAT) |
| £4,000 – £4,999 | £833 flat (inc. VAT) |
| £5,000 – £11,999 | £894 – £1,290 flat (inc. VAT) |
| £20,000+ | ~6% of hammer (inc. VAT) |
Understanding BCA fees
Standard vs Silver vs Gold
Your buyer's fee depends on your BCA account tier. Standard (MyBCA) is the default for new and occasional buyers and carries the highest fees. Silver and Gold are trade tiers for higher-volume buyers and pay progressively less per lot.
This calculator uses Standard rates, the most common for private buyers. If you hold a trade card, your fee will be lower than shown.
The BCA Assured fee
Most BCA lots under 8 years old come with a BCA Assured appraisal, an independent mechanical and cosmetic report with a short post-sale assurance window. It typically adds around £54.
Because it applies to the majority of younger cars, budget for it on top of the hammer price and buyer's fee.
VAT on the hammer
Fleet, lease and manufacturer disposal lots are usually VAT qualifying, so 20% VAT is added to the hammer price. On a £5,000 bid that's an extra £1,000 before any fees.
Trade-in lots from private sellers may not be VAT qualifying. BCA marks each lot, so always check before bidding.
The costs buyers forget
V5C admin fee: usually around £26 per purchase. Transport: typically £150-£350 to collect or deliver. MOT: £54.85 if the existing one has lapsed.
For a structurally damaged (CAT S) car, also budget DVLA re-registration at around £300-500. CarMate's auction report works the full all-in cost out for any lot.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do BCA buyer fees work?
BCA charges a tiered flat buyer's fee for Standard (MyBCA) account holders, which is the rate most private and occasional buyers pay. Under £1,000 the fee is around £324 (inc. VAT), rising to about £564 for a £1,000-£1,999 bid and roughly £894 for a £5,000-£5,999 bid. On top of the buyer's fee, most lots under 8 years old carry a BCA Assured fee (around £54) and there is usually a V5C admin fee (around £26). Trade buyers on Silver or Gold accounts pay lower buyer fees.
What is the difference between BCA Standard, Silver and Gold?
Standard (MyBCA) is the default account for new and occasional buyers and pays the highest buyer fees. Silver and Gold are trade tiers for higher-volume buyers, with progressively lower fees per lot. The calculator on this page uses Standard rates, since that is what most private and small-trade buyers are charged. If you hold a Silver or Gold card, your actual buyer fee will be lower, so always confirm the rate card on your account.
Does BCA charge VAT on the hammer price?
It depends on the lot. Fleet, lease and manufacturer disposal lots are usually VAT qualifying, meaning 20% VAT is added to the hammer price. Trade-in lots from private sellers may not be. BCA marks VAT-qualifying lots in the listing, so always check before you bid. The buyer's fee itself also includes VAT, and the figures here are shown inclusive of VAT.
What is the BCA Assured fee?
BCA Assured is an independent appraisal that comes with most lots under 8 years old, backed by a mechanical and cosmetic report and a short post-sale assurance window. It typically adds around £54 to the cost. It is worth factoring in because it applies to the majority of younger cars at BCA.
What other costs should I budget for at a BCA auction?
Beyond the hammer price, VAT on hammer (if the lot is VAT qualifying) and the buyer's fee: the BCA Assured fee (around £54), the V5C admin fee (around £26), transport or collection (typically £150-£350), a new MOT if the existing one has lapsed (£54.85), and for any structurally damaged (CAT S) car, DVLA re-registration (around £300-500). Add these up before you set your maximum bid.
How accurate is this BCA fee calculator?
It uses BCA's published Standard (MyBCA) buyer fee tiers, which are accurate at the time of writing. However, BCA updates its fee structure periodically and fees vary by account tier. This calculator is a planning guide to help you work out a sensible maximum bid, not a guarantee of the exact charges on a specific lot.
Bidding on a Copart lot instead?
Use the Copart fee calculator for Copart Fee B rates and the mandatory Lot Retrieval Fee, or paste any Copart or BCA URL into CarMate for a full lot report.