Auction Calendar has quickly become South Africa’s go-to platform for finding upcoming auctions. Buyers have the opportunity to explore a range of auction categories happening across South Africa – from real estate and vehicles to office furniture and agricultural equipment.
While every buyer has their preferred category, there are often overlaps with other auction categories. You might not be interested in agricultural auctions, but these may also feature auction items such as vehicles or machinery – items that match your interests. Understanding these trends also gives you insights into what people are investing in, as it signals where demand is growing. This can offer you a chance to pivot or adjust your auction strategy to align with the market.
Here are three top categories to watch on Auction Calendar as we enter the second half of 2025:
Livestock Auctions
The growth of digital auctions and a thriving agricultural sector in South Africa have made livestock auctions a popular category. August to October also sees farmers preparing for the new grazing season, making expanding their herd a top priority ahead of the season and attending livestock auctions essential.
Livestock auctions are a safe and effective way for farmers to buy and sell animals, offering a true reflection of what the market is willing to pay. Despite its seasonal highs and lows, this is an auction category that thrives throughout the year with many buyers heading to auction at least twice a month to get a feel for the market. Along with its significant advantages, these auctions are especially important for small-scale farmers, offering a steady flow of cash, which is vital for maintaining or expanding operations.
While purchasing at livestock auctions can provide numerous benefits, it’s essential that buyers familiarise themselves with what is required when placing their bid at these auctions.
Buyer Pro Tip: Inspect the animals yourself. Look at the coat, overall condition, feet and body structure of the animal to ensure you’re purchasing livestock you’re 100% satisfied with – these inspections can be done during an auction preview. Once you’ve purchased your desired livestock, you’ll need to consider legal and transport papers. Ensure all transportation documents and permits are fully compliant. Make sure you read our livestock auction guide for more information.
Car Auctions
With growing cost pressures, buyers are looking for affordable ways to purchase big-ticket items such as vehicles. Cars sold at auctions are usually closer to the trade value than the retail price, making it beneficial for buyers searching for vehicles that suit their budget and needs. It’s a well-established, popular method that offers buyers and sellers speed, savings and transparency that traditional dealerships are unable to match.
There’s no shortage of vehicles headed to the auction floor, whether its bank repossessed cars or de-fleeted rentals, the flow is steady and constant. While there’s no “right” time to purchase a vehicle at car auctions, there are certain times of the year that are more favourable than others.
Spring is a great time to head to your next car auction. Warmer weather brings a renewed sense of joy and spending, as buyers look to upgrade before summer arrives. The end of a new year is also peak time for spending, and buying at car auctions is no exception. This is usually a time when dealerships, banks and other companies attempt to offload vehicles, with some making space on the floor for the new 2026 models. This ensures more vehicles are available on the auction floor, which are usually priced to sell quickly.
Pro Tip: There are a range of benefits to purchasing at car auctions, but like most things, there are risks. However, these risks can be minimised if you’re willing to do your due diligence, set a budget and stick to it, understand the process of buying cars at auction (everything is sold as-is) and leverage the right tools to speed up your auction discovering process.
For more tips on how to get the most from car auctions, make sure you read our guide!
Heavy Machinery Auctions
Heavy machinery is the backbone of productivity in industries such as construction, agriculture and real estate development. As more construction projects in South Africa become bigger and more complex, the need for heavy machinery has become a necessity. According to South Africa’s premier specialist motor grader rebuild centre, KH Plant, South Africa has had the fastest annual growth of around 9%. However, heavy machinery can be expensive, with new equipment said to lose up to 40% of its value in the first year alone. As the demand for bulldozers, cranes and other equipment only increases, retail prices for these items are only set to skyrocket.
Auctions are a great alternative to purchasing newer equipment. Used doesn’t always mean unreliable, and heavy equipment auctions provide a fantastic opportunity to buy working equipment at a fraction of the cost. This can be a smart option for smaller businesses or farmers looking to reduce overhead costs.
Pro Tip: While most heavy equipment is built to last, many items at auction are sold as-is. Therefore, it’s always advised to do thorough research and inspections before placing your bid. Know what you need before the auction, including what machine you need, model preferences and required specs. Take advantage of auction previews, request service records and check for wear and tear if possible.
Whether you’re searching for livestock auctions or property auctions, Auction Calendar provides a convenient platform to help you find auctions that suit your needs.
Start exploring our wide range of auction categories today!
