Simple auctions were never used in privatizations (not even for less important types of assets).

The biggest advantage (and also the biggest disadvantage) of auctions is the presence of a single criterion which determines who wins.

Compared to other methods of sale, it is much easier to cheat in auctions (i.e. auctions are much easier to manipulate).

Economists quite like auctions: they are transparent and do not require the seller to have a too clear idea about the value of the asset on sale.