Proxy Bidding Explained: How to Stay Ahead Without Watching the Clock

Online car auctions can move quickly — and if you’re not watching closely, it’s easy to miss out. That’s where proxy bidding comes in. It’s one of the simplest ways to stay in the game, without being glued to your screen. At Universal Auctions, we’ve made proxy bidding straightforward, flexible, and available to all registered users.

Proxy bidding allows you to set your maximum bid in advance. Instead of manually increasing your offer each time someone else places a bid, the system does it for you — automatically and incrementally — up to the limit you’ve set. It means you can focus on your day while still staying in the running for the vehicle you want.

Here’s how it works: Let’s say a car is currently at £1,000 and you’re willing to pay up to £1,500. You enter £1,500 as your maximum bid, but the system will only increase your bid as needed to keep you ahead. If someone bids £1,050, the system might place a counter bid for you at £1,100 — and so on — only going up when necessary. If no one bids higher than £1,100, you win the auction at that price, not your full £1,500. It’s a smart way to avoid overbidding while staying competitive.

Proxy bidding is especially useful if you're bidding on more than one vehicle, you’re unavailable during auction close times, or you simply don’t want to get caught up in the heat of a bidding war. It also removes the temptation to overspend, because your limit is locked in from the start.

To use proxy bidding at Universal Auctions, simply enter your maximum bid in the bidding box when viewing a lot. The system takes care of the rest — no need to confirm every step. And don’t worry, your maximum bid is never visible to other users.

Whether you’re buying your first car or adding to a fleet, proxy bidding gives you a practical advantage. It helps you stay calm, focused, and within budget — all without missing your chance.

From hatchback to commercial — buy smart, buy Universal!