Punter-friendly Car Auctions?

Punter-friendly Car Auctions?

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Discussion

Zad

Original Poster:

12,695 posts

235 months

Friday 28th August 2015
quotequote all
I'm on the lookout for a car for my dad, preferably a Mondeo estate with the 2.5T engine and good trim level. Now, these are pretty rare beasts, although a bit more common in hatchback spec. Many of the ones I have seen advertised are clearly ex-fleet, so it struck me that cutting out the middle man might save a few grand, with the potential benefit of being direct from a fleet with a service history and fewer unknowns, with the obvious caveats of auctions about warranty, insurance, auction fees etc.

Car auctions seem to vary wildly with regards to public accessibility. It used to be the case that most of them published all their sales lists, but various ones went subscription in an attempt to make it dealer only. Its well over 10 years since I have been to a car auction myself, so I was wondering if anyone knew which of the Yorkshire region car auctions were punter friendly?

Muchas grassyarse etc... smile


POORCARDEALER

8,523 posts

240 months

Friday 28th August 2015
quotequote all

All car auctions will welcome the private buyer.

dont buy anything without an auction warranty (lasts an hour after sale for major mechanicals)

If the car is in the up to 10K range you are unlikely to save a couple of grand after you have paid the extortionate fees they charge the private buyer.

Remember to keep back a few hundred quid for unseen expenses such as servicing and repairs/spare keys etc

If I was a private man its not something I would entertain unless there was a real substantial saving.

Good luck

Zad

Original Poster:

12,695 posts

235 months

Saturday 29th August 2015
quotequote all
Cheers. The advice is certainly appreciated. I'm a pretty cynical sort, especially around car sales, so want to make sure I know the gotchas before I consider buying from one. They just seemed a likely place to source a Mondeo 2.5T , given that people generally want smaller cars, and/or diesels, or else they are looking for something flashier and preferably German.

rfisher

5,024 posts

282 months

Saturday 29th August 2015
quotequote all
Probably easier to use Ebay as long as you see the car before the listing ends.

Or an alert on Autotrader and call the seller as soon as the ad goes live.

Auctions are for the dealers these days.

julianm

1,530 posts

200 months

Saturday 29th August 2015
quotequote all
You can set up a free account with Mannheim https://www.manheim.co.uk/ & search pretty easily. They`ve got bases near Leeds/Pontefract, I`ve sometimes found an interesting car but it`s miles away at another centre! Lots of ex-fleet cars. I did have a wander round their place at Brotherton on an auction night but never plucked up enough courage to go & bid!

TooLateForAName

4,725 posts

183 months

Monday 31st August 2015
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I've been thinking seriously about visiting an auction for an EV - either Leaf or Zoe.

Anecdotal reports are that they make very low prices at auction.

Any comments?

thetapeworm

11,191 posts

238 months

Monday 31st August 2015
quotequote all
Independent Auctions in Morley are very open to private buyers but a lot of the punters seem to be small time traders.

http://www.independentmotorauctions.co.uk/view-sto...

Zad

Original Poster:

12,695 posts

235 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
quotequote all
Thanks for those chaps! I will sign up to Mannheim (who are just down the road, handily enough) and will bookmark the Morley one. Its possible nothing may come of it, but it will be nice to see what's moving through the trade, and I'm just interested in the whole industry really. Cheers!

thetapeworm

11,191 posts

238 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
quotequote all
I used to go up to Morley on a Friday quite a bit but never actually bought anything, some tempting money-pits in the £200 arena and the high from all the indoor fumes keeps you in a headache for a day or so smile Fun to just go and take it all in if you like cars.