Food truck auction: seized trucks and pitfalls to avoid
Seized food trucks: where public sales take place, how they work, the papers to ask for before you bid, and how to compare the total with a new trailer.
Romain BarreauFounder of Food Truck Store · 5 min readA food truck auction is tempting: a fitted van or trailer, sold for less than a new one. These sales do exist, run by enforcement or tax authorities and often held online. But the conditions of sale decide what you actually get: here is where to look, how a sale works and what to check before you bid.
Where seized food trucks are sold.
Each country has its own channels. In Spain, the Portal de Subastas of the official state gazette lists judicial, notarial and tax auctions, including vehicles (BOE); in Sweden, the Enforcement Authority sells seized property, vehicles included, on its Auktionstorget, by auction, tender or online (Kronofogden). In Finland, the National Enforcement Authority sells seized property at public auction or by free sale, such as an online auction (Ulosottolaitos), and in Norway, enforcement law provides for auctions of seized movable property (Enforcement Act, chapter 8).
- SpainThe Portal de Subastas of the BOE: judicial, notarial and tax auctions, with 20 days of bidding.
- SwedenKronofogden’s Auktionstorget: seized property and vehicles, by auction, tender or online.
- FinlandUlosottolaitos: public auction or free sale, such as an online auction.
- NorwayThe enforcement officer holds auctions of seized movable property.
How a sale works.
Before anything else, read the catalogue and the conditions of sale: they describe each lot, the fees, how to pay and the deadline for removing what you buy. In Spain, bidding stays open for 20 days and you generally have to pay a deposit to bid (Portal de Subastas, help); in Sweden, new rules have applied to buyers since 1 July 2026, including responsibility for removing the item in time (Kronofogden).
- Read the catalogue
It describes each lot and sets the conditions of sale: read them before you bid.
- See the vehicle
Go to the viewing if there is one, with someone who knows trailers or vans.
- Bid
Before the deadline, with whatever deposit or ID the sale requires.
- Pay, then remove it
Pay the fees on top of the price, then remove it within the time the seller sets.
Read the conditions before you bid.
What is guaranteed and what is not depends on the seller and the law in your country, and the conditions of sale spell it out. What you see at the viewing is what you get: engine, axle, bodywork, hood, refrigeration and gas installation.
Stainless steel, hood, seals: look closely at the viewing.
The papers to ask for.
In Ireland, every new light trailer sold since 29 October 2012 must be plated and type-approved and come with a certificate of conformity (RSA), and the HSE must be told in writing when a food stall changes hands (FSAI, Guidance Note 16, 2.2). In Italy, the buyer of a registered trailer or van must have the change of ownership recorded within 60 days (Codice della strada, art. 94). If there are no recent reports on the gas and electrical installations, have them checked by a qualified professional in your country before you start cooking.
- Plate and certificateThe type plate and the certificate of conformity, matching the vehicle sold.
- The fit-outFor a converted van or trailer, the approval of the conversion where your country requires one.
- Gas and electricsIf there is no recent report, have them checked by a qualified professional before you cook.
- For a vanIts latest roadworthiness test report, showing its condition and any defects.
Pitfalls to budget for.
A trailer has to be towed: check that your car and your licence allow it with the car step of the FTS Academy. For a van, sort out insurance and the journey home before the sale, then budget for repairs and, if the conversion was never approved, for getting it approved.
Compare the total with new.
Add up the hammer price, the fees, transport, the work to bring it up to standard and the paperwork: that is the total to compare with a new trailer that comes with its certificate of conformity and warranty. Our guide How much does a food truck cost in Europe? lists every other item.
- €11,500Essentiel AIR 220, new, excl. VAT ›
- €13,495Chef+ AIR 220, new, excl. VAT ›
- 1 yearwarranty, parts and labour, as set out in our terms of sale
A good deal, if you check everything.
A seized food truck can be a real opportunity, as long as you have seen it, read the conditions of sale and costed everything it is missing. Otherwise, a new trailer with its papers in order is still the quickest route to your first service: browse our food truck trailers, or find your layout with the Academy quiz.
Everything in order, ready to serve.
Your questions answered.
Got another question? Just ask us ›It depends on your country: in Spain, on the Portal de Subastas of the BOE; in Sweden, on Kronofogden’s Auktionstorget; in Finland, at sales held by the National Enforcement Authority. Keep an eye on the catalogues of upcoming sales.
The sale fees, set out in the conditions of sale, then transport, any repairs and the paperwork. Read the conditions before you bid.
It depends on the seller and the law in your country: the conditions of sale state what is guaranteed. Either way, see the vehicle before you bid.
The type plate and the certificate of conformity, matching the trailer: in Ireland, every light trailer sold new since 29 October 2012 must have them. Then any reports on the gas and electrical installations.
At public sales or through adverts, but check the papers, the plate and the installations before you pay. And always compare the total with a new trailer.
By Romain, founder 
