Information You Need

What “Tow Unit” Really Means
When a vehicle is called a “Tow Unit,” it doesn’t automatically mean the car is bad. It just means the auction hasn’t inspected it.

Why We Use the Label
In B.C., the law says if a business hasn’t personally inspected a vehicle, we must mark it as “NOT MECHANICALLY INSPECTED, NOT SUITABLE FOR TRANSPORTATION, MUST TOW.”

Warning Lights
If the car has warning lights like airbag or ABS, we must also label it as “not roadworthy” and “Tow Unit.”

After the Sale
When you buy a Tow Unit, you sign a form saying you understand the vehicle wasn’t inspected. Then you can register it in your name. Once the vehicle is registered in your name, we will park the vehicle on the road for you. You CANNOT insure your vehicle on-site.

The Point
“Tow Unit” means we didn’t inspect the vehicle. We remove any liability from the vehicle. Whatever you want to do with your vehicle once its parked on the road, is your decision and responsibility. 

Vehicle viewing is Thursday through Saturday. Gates open daily at 9:30am

• Arbitration is available when a major problem with the engine, transmission, or major powertrain components is diagnosed by a licensed mechanic.
• Vehicles are eligible if they sold for more than $5,000 and have a functional odometer under 200,000 km.
• The guidelines state that tow units do not qualify for arbitration. The vehicle purchased was not sold as a tow unit, and therefore this exclusion does not apply.
• The issue must be reported within the required timeframe, which states that vehicles picked up on Saturday must be reported by end of day Tuesday, and vehicles picked up Tuesday must be reported by end of day Tuesday.

The problem with the vehicle falls under major powertrain components, and it has been diagnosed by a licensed mechanic, which aligns with the criteria stated in the arbitration policy.

Additionally, the policy states that if such a qualifying issue is confirmed, the buyer is eligible for a refund of the purchase price (less registration and/or Visa fees).

Since the vehicle meets the eligibility requirements, was not sold as a tow unit, and the issue was reported within the stated timeframe, I am formally requesting that this matter proceed through the arbitration process as outlined in your guidelines.

Please confirm receipt of this request and advise on the next steps required to complete the arbitration claim.

During the live webcast, you will find out whether a vehicle has met its reserve price immediately after the vehicle finishes going through the bidding process.

In some cases, if the pre-bidding reaches a certain level, the consignor may contact us to lift the reserve before the vehicle goes live. When this happens, we will update the information on our website and Live Auction World. It may also be announced at the beginning of the webcast or just before the live bidding starts for that vehicle.

During the live auction, the auctioneer may also make announcements such as “cut it loose” or “it’s going to sell.” This indicates that the vehicle has either met or exceeded the reserve price, or that the consignor has authorized the reserve to be lowered during the sale.

Most communication with winning bidders is done through email and phone. If you win a bid, the auctioneer will announce that the vehicle has been sold. An invoice will be sent to the email associated with your account by the end of the day on Saturday.

Please pay close attention to the auctioneer’s announcements during the live auction and monitor your email to ensure you receive important updates regarding your purchase.

Register to bid Saturday morning at the front office. The gates open at 9:30