Weekly EV Auction Watch: QFleet Brisbane Prices
Welcome to the first in what will hopefully be a weekly series of updates of auction prices for used EVs. This post is not promoted or supported in any way by any company including those mentioned below. If you have any feedback on something we missed or something we could do better next time to make it easier to understand or to help your EV buying journey, please just ask.
So, who am I? I am Daniel Romero, I have spent the past 20 years in the Australian automotive industry and have driven over 250,000km in pure EV vehicles as part of my car review channels. I also spend a lot of time at auctions, weekly in fact, and in the process of trying to help another friend buy a used EV from auction, I realised others may benefit from some of these insights too.
So, lets kick this series off with the Manheim Australia QFleet auction in Brisbane which continues to offer some of the best range and condition used EVs in an auction setting.
Rather than telling you why the numbers look good, the plan is to show you some examples each week, using direct side-by-side comparisons between recent QFleet sales and current private and dealer listings from classifieds websites that list used cars for sale.
Before the numbers, a quick intro into what a QFleet auction is.
Who is QFleet and What is a QFleet Auction?
A QFleet auction is a government vehicle auction featuring cars that were previously owned and operated by the Queensland Government through QFleet, the state’s official fleet management program which oversees over 11,000 vehicles. These vehicles are typically replaced on a strict cycle.
All EVs sold through the Manheim's QFleet auction in Brisbane are:
- Ex-Queensland Government fleet vehicles
- Well maintained with documented service history
- Typically 2–4 years old
- Generally low kilometres
- Many retain the balance of new-car warranty (Note: some brands including GWM and Mercedes-Benz Vans do not always transfer new-car warranty on auction vehicles, please check with the relevant brand to confirm if warranty will transfer)
Included protections in a QFleet Auction (less common for auctions):
- Road Worthy Certificate (RWC)
- 3-month statutory warranty
- Independent Aviloo battery health report
- Guaranteed no encumbrances
- Guaranteed not listed on WOVR
WOVR explained: The Written-Off Vehicle Register lists vehicles declared a total loss by insurers due to damage, theft, or other incidents. WOVR vehicles can carry resale, insurance, and safety complications. Manheim Australia's guarantee removes this risk entirely.
For more information about QFleet and QFleet auctions, read our What is a QFleet Auction post.
Where is the QFleet Ex-Government Vehicle Auction?
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Brisbane - Check website here |
| Frequency | Weekly |
| Inspection | Monday is the best time between 9am–4pm |
| Sold | Unregistered |
| Buyer’s fee | $610.50 |
| Admin fee | $88 |
| Total fixed auction fee | $698.50 (GST inc.) |
| Registration | Paid for buyer after sale (onsite or QLD TMR) |
| Payment | Credit card fees apply |
Price Comparisons: Auction vs Dealer
2022 Hyundai Ioniq Electric Elite Hatchbacks
| Source | Year | Kilometres | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manheim QFleet auction (range for this week) | 2022 | From 17,800km | $17,100 – $19,500 |
| Auction fee | – | – | + $698.50 |
| Total auction outlay (excluding stamp duty and registration) | $17,798.50 – $20,198.50 | ||
| Cheapest Carsales listing in QLD | 2018 | 150,000km | $21,700 |
| Dealer listings in QLD (similar km to auction cars) | 2021–2022 | Between 20,000–70,000km | $23,437 – $25,447 |
DriveWise takeaway: You’re buying a newer car with dramatically lower kilometres for several thousand dollars less than private and dealer pricing even after auction fees.
2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB 250
| Source | Year | Kilometres | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manheim QFleet auction | 2023 | 60,000km | $36,750 |
| Auction fee | – | – | + $698.50 |
| Total auction outlay (excludes registration and stamp duty) | $37,448.50 | ||
| Cheapest dealer listing (National - Located in QLD) | 2022 | 53,000km | $46,035 |
| Next cheapest dealer listing (National - Located in ACT) | 2022 | 50,000km | $49,940 |
DriveWise takeaway: Even compared with the cheapest EQB in the country, the QFleet result undercuts dealer pricing by roughly $9,500–$13,000.
2023 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range
| Source | Year | Kilometres | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manheim QFleet auction | 2023 | 11,886km | $36,500 |
| Auction fee | – | – | + $698.50 |
| Total auction outlay (excludes registration and stamp duty) | $37,198.50 | ||
| Cheapest 2023 model (QLD) | 2023 | 44,000km | $37,800 |
| Closest mileage dealer car (<20k km) | 2023 | 18,000km | $44,500 |
DriveWise takeaway: Near-new kilometres at auction pricing that competes with and often beats higher-kilometre public and dealer stock.
The DriveWise Verdict
For Queensland EV buyers focused on value without blind risk, the Manheim QFleet Brisbane auction continues to outperform the traditional used-car market.
The numbers I've compared most weeks for the past 24 months indicate some strong savings across all types of cars, including EVs.
DriveWise will keep publishing weekly EV auction results so buyers can compare real transaction prices, please reach out if you have any feedback or suggestions on how this can be improved to help you on your hunt for a new car.
Article Disclaimer – Auction Results & Pricing Comparisons
This article reports on observed vehicle sale prices from recent Manheim Australia QFleet auctions and compares them with advertised market listings available at the time of publication across multiple automotive classified websites. Auction results reflect individual transactions and do not guarantee future sale outcomes or pricing.
All vehicles sold at auction are subject to the auctioneer’s terms and conditions. While Manheim's QFleet auctions may include features such as Road Worthy Certificates, statutory warranties, battery health reports, registration facilitation, and title assurances, the availability and scope of these features may vary by vehicle and are governed by applicable laws and auction rules.
Dealer price comparisons are indicative only and are based on advertised asking prices. They may not reflect negotiated sale prices, dealer incentives, finance offers, location-based costs, or changes in market conditions.
Warranty transferability, including manufacturer new-car warranties, may differ by brand, vehicle, and sale channel. Buyers are responsible for confirming warranty status, fees, registration requirements, inspection outcomes, and suitability prior to bidding or purchase.
DriveWise accepts no responsibility for any loss, damage, or expense incurred as a result of reliance on the information contained in this article.
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