What is a Green Light car auction? A first-timer's guide (UAE)

If you have seen "Green Light" on a Marhaba Auctions post and wondered what it means, this is the two-minute version. And if you are thinking about coming to your first car auction, Sunday 20 September is a good day to do it: 300+ cars, all Green Light, free entry, at our Main Branch in Industrial Area 2, Sharjah. Get your free pass for the Mega Green Light Auction →

Green Light in one sentence

At a Green Light auction the seller has already agreed to sell to the highest bidder, whatever that bid is. There is no reserve price and no "sorry, not sold" after the hammer. Whatever the room decides the car is worth on the day is the price.

Compare that with a normal auction, where the seller can set a hidden minimum and refuse the final bid — you can win the bidding and still not get the car. Green Light removes that. If you are the highest bidder, the car is yours.

Why buyers like it

• Real market prices. The price is set by the people in the room, not by a sticker.
• No negotiation. Nobody is trying to talk you up. You set your ceiling, you bid, you stop when you want.
• Speed. Inspect during the day, bid from 5:30 PM, drive home the same night.
• Choice. On Sunday there are 300+ cars in one lot — sedans, SUVs, family 7-seaters, budget cars under AED 15,000 and premium models.

How to buy your first car at auction — five steps

1. Register. Get a free pass online (60 seconds) or register at the gate. Get my free pass →
2. Inspect. The auction starts at 5:30 PM — come early to walk the lot first. Walk the lot, start the engine, read the windscreen tag: lot number, year, mileage, history report. Ask any consultant in a green shirt.
3. Set your ceiling. Decide the maximum you would pay before the lot comes up, and write it down. That is the single best piece of advice for a first-timer.
4. Pay the deposit and bid. The deposit is refundable — if you don't win, it is back in your account the next working day. Bidding is simple: raise your paddle, and the auctioneer will guide you.
5. Win, pay, drive. Pay at the desk, complete the transfer paperwork on site (our bank partners can approve finance the same day), and drive home.

What to bring

Your Emirates ID (or passport if you are visiting), your deposit (card, cash or online), and — if you want finance — your bank details for pre-approval at the desk.

Tips from our auctioneers

• Come to the Saturday preview (10 AM – 8 PM) if you want more time with the cars.
• The AED 0 starting-bid lots run every 20 minutes from 5:30 PM on Sunday — check the timetable on the event page and arrive before the lot you want.
• Sit where you can see the auctioneer, and bid clearly.
• If you lose a lot, ask your consultant — there is usually a similar car later in the day.
• Bring a friend. It is more fun, a second opinion helps, and on Sunday you both enter the lucky draw. Register and get your invite link →

Come and watch — no obligation to bid

Plenty of people come to their first auction just to see how it works. Entry is free, there is food and coffee on site, families are welcome, and if you decide you are not ready to bid, you have lost an afternoon, not a car.

Sunday 20 September 2026 · Starts 5:30 PM · Marhaba Auctions Main Branch, 247 First Industrial Street, Industrial Area 2, Sharjah

Get my free pass for the Mega Green Light Auction

WhatsApp us the lot list · Call 800 622 · See the event page

Frequently asked questions

Is a Green Light auction the same as a no-reserve auction?
Yes — Green Light is our name for a no-reserve sale where the seller has pre-approved the sale to the highest bidder.

Can I bid online?
Sunday's Mega Green Light Auction is a live event at the Main Branch. Register for a free pass and come in person.

How much is the deposit?
Ask us on WhatsApp for the current amount; it is fully refunded the next working day if you don't win.

Is there a buyer's fee?
Yes, standard auction fees apply and are explained at registration. There are no hidden charges.