Over 250 second-hand cars will go under the hammer at the MFCC Fair and Conference Centre in Ta' Qali next weekend in what organisers claim will be the largest car auction ever held in Malta.
The auction proper was originally intended to start on Sunday morning, but such has been the response that it has been brought forward to start on Saturday evening, after viewing time closes.
Each lot has been allocated a four-minute auction window. Screens will provide currency conversion and lot details. Obelisk Auctions' Pierre Grech Pillow is the auctioneer.
A spokesman for organisers D-Vision said local car auctions usually involve repossessed vehicles or cars for scrap, but this event was intended to be similar to auctions overseas.
The lots, entered by individual sellers and some dealers, include a wide range of marques, all previously owned locally or UK or Japanese imports.
The online catalogue at maltacarauctions.com lists sports cars, 4x4s, executive cars, city cars, sedans, pick-ups, bikes, American cars and classics. Lots include two Dodge Rams (1996, 2005), a 2006 Cadillac BLS-DSE, a 1993 Harley Davidson Sportser, a 1960 MGA, a 1960 VW Beetle, and a 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8 GSR.
List prices set by sellers start from €2,300.
There will be seating for 400 viewers and buyers who will be able to watch a line-up of the cars under auction being driven past.
Under auction rules, no phone numbers or contact information or any item or mark that may indicate the lot's ownership is allowed to be displayed, including stickers and number plate frames.
Sellers have been charged an entry fee of €50 for each car which is refundable if the car is sold. In case of a sale, the auction fee is a five per cent charge on the value sold from the seller and a five per cent charge from the buyer, excluding VAT. Should cars fail to sell at auction, sellers and buyers may agree a price through the auctioneer.
The spokesman said the organisers will be responsible for vehicle documentation, including log books and transfers to ensure buyers' and sellers' security.
The auction is being supported by local banks, All Care Insurance Agency Ltd and Express Trailers, all of which will be present at the venue with representatives on hand to offer advice on financing and other services.