Welcome and thank you for your interest in Barons classic and collectors car auctions.

Who are We?

Barons was founded in September 1998 by Laurence M. Sayers-Gillan.The very first sale was opened by Tiff Needell on the 28th September 1998. The reason for establishing the company was to offer the classic car owner and would-be owner a better, more cost effective service and to bring the auction business into the 20th century.

Classic Jaguar expert and motor racing preparation specialist, Tony Cavell joined the board in 2001, joining new Company Secretary Karen Ruffles. Other members of the team include Keith Saunders, who mans the office at Sandown Park and provides invaluable experience of the classic car world, plus technical expertise. Mervyn Dove who is responsible for the hall layout, client assistance, telephone bids and IT, Mike Thomson, document control, ex Chief Petty Officer (RN) David Holland, transporter driver, driver and general logistics and Malcolm Harris, transport and storage co-ordinator. Keith, Mervyn and Laurence also man the Barons exhibition unit at various shows around the UK.

Our auctioneer is Fabian Hine who joined us in 2003, after 31 years with BCA. Fabian is a professional and accomplished auctioneer who also works for many major charity auctions and corporate organisations. Fabian is a freelance auctioneer with extensive experience.

Our New Forest office is staffed by Laurence, Karen Ruffles and Marina Dear between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. We are now in our 11th year and though we have brought many improvements to the business, we have remained committed to the same values and continue to offer the same, high quality service at very competitive rates.

Unlike many of our competitors there are no hidden fees. If we sell your car, (we sell, on average, over 75% of lots offered) we issue payment in 6 working days.Our sellers commission is just 5% of the hammer price, plus the VAT and return the balance to you. The only other fee is the Entry Fee, which you pay up front. If we do not sell your car and provided that it has a reserve that reflects the market value, we offer you a FREE entry into the next sale. If you have three or more vehicles, to offer, we have special rates, which are very generous.

Not only do we hold your funds in a secure account client account, we issue payment in just 6 working Days. There is no reason for any auction house to hold onto your funds for any longer. We carry out all of the necessary checks, including an HPI check and still manage to pay in only 8 days. Many houses will keep you waiting for at least a month and some keep your money for 90 days. We can do this because we do not accept anything but cleared funds. No vehicles leave us until the funds are in our bank. Barons do not operate any Accounts. Unlike many of our competitors, we do not accept payment by cheque,  If your car is sold at Barons, it remains sold. 

If you are a Buyer you are looking in the right place because we offer the lowest buyers premium in the UK. Of the 10 classic and collectors car auction houses operating in the UK we rank at number 4 in terms of cars sold. In terms of fees charged we are the least expensive of the serious players. The largest houses, where cars are just one aspect of the business, charge 15% on the first £50,000, others charge 15% across the board. Barons charge just 10%. Buying and selling at Barons is less expensive, payment is faster and the service is professional but friendly.