Monday 22nd June 2009

Gone in 60 Seconds

Part 5 of PHer V8mate's guide to the auction scene

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Boxster S: Sold!

Last week we looked at how considering a higher mileage car could save you thousands and leave the professionals stepping away from vehicles which they might find difficult to sell. How else can you take advantage of dealers’ weak-spots? One thing to consider is the cost of optional extras when the car was new. When you buy yourself a new car, the salesman will be keen to get you to sign up to every possible option. These are areas of huge margin for the manufacturers and soon send the retail price soaring. What they don’t tell you, however, is that most optional extras return very little when you come to sell. Used car salesmen are taught that cars with lots of options are easier to sell, rather than any more valuable. If you have ever part-exchanged a car, you’ve probably been on the wrong end of such a mindset.

Dealers will, therefore, want cars with the highest possible specification in order that their salesmen can sell them on quickly. Remember, a dealer doesn’t make his profit until the car is sold! So if you’re not to fussy about certain options, you can pursue lower spec cars, safe in the knowledge that less dealers will be after the same vehicle. One ‘extra’, however, stands head and shoulders above the others in terms of its perceived value, and that is in-car satellite navigation. For some reason, this option retains almost its entire value, even in cars which are several years old. Hearing the auctioneer announce that he ‘has the satnav DVD for the car’ is guaranteed to get buyers bidding. And the price difference for cars with and without satnav? For some marques it can be as much as £1000-1500. Lexus IS models, as one example, will see 90% of buyers turn their noses up if they see no ‘big screen’ on the dash.

TT: Sold!

So, how can you turn this to your advantage? Well, buying yourself an aftermarket satnav, assuming you can live with it not being ‘built-in’, can bring huge monetary benefits. For me, factory navigation systems offer no benefit other than their tidiness. They are often hopelessly out of date, even when the car is brand new, and manufacturers often charge upwards of £300 to provide update disks. A high quality third-party device need cost no more than £150 with annual updates costing as little as £50-£75. And you get to save, potentially, £1000 on the purchase price of your car.

The last report took you as far as having made the successful bid on a car. So what happens next? Your bid price will have attracted a ‘buyer’s premium’. These vary between auction companies and most have different rates for trade and private buyers. Example rates (including VAT) for private buyers, for vehicles sold at the following prices at my local Manheim site are:

£5,000-£5,499 – £244

£8,000-£8,500 - £276

£10,000-£10,500 - £297

£15,000-£15,500 - £348

£25,000-£25,500 - £498

Having settled the bill with your debit card – in order to avoid payment fees - a good first step would be to call your insurance company and have the car insured with immediate effect. The last thing you want, having put so much care into choosing your purchase, is for some damage to occur in the auctioneer’s busy yard and you find yourself the proud owner of damaged goods.

Your next problem is one of getting your car home. Cars at auction are very rarely taxed, so even with insurance ‘instantly’ arranged by phone, you will have to wait for a paper copy of the cover note to arrive before you can visit the Post Office. On the flip side, many auction houses charge storage fees after 24/48 hours so you’ll want to claim your car as soon as possible. With ANPR devices actively monitoring our highways these days, the option of arranging insurance and then quickly nipping your new car back to the safety of your drive really isn’t an option.

Passat: Sold!

Fortunately, the larger auctions have realised this and, always on the look-out for a revenue stream, offer delivery services. In fairness, considering how steep some of their charges are, I have found delivery charges to offer good value considering that they fulfil a door-to-door service and save you from any legal issues along the way.

Another good mix of prices with this report; hopefully there’s something to interest everyone. This week’s tip: Volkswagen Passats – they have enjoyed sound residuals since launch, but I’m starting to see some good value motors fall under the hammer. Next week we have a ‘special’ for you as the report comes from the jalopy end of the market, so have a dig around under the sofa cushions and we’ll take a look a look at what a tiny budget can turn up for you. To see this week's auction picks, click on the comments thread below.

Previous Articles:

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Year	Plate	Make	Model	Detail	Mileage	Price	Status
2005	05	Alfa Romeo	156	2.0 Veloce 4dr	32k	3875	SOLD
2006	06	Alfa Romeo	159	1.9 16V diesel Lusso 4dr	31k	8350	SOLD
2008	08	Aston Martin	Vantage	Sportshift Roadster	16k	60700	SOLD
2006	06	Audi	A3	1.6 FSI S-Line 3dr	28k	10500	SOLD
1998	S	Audi	A3	1.8T Sport 3dr	121k	1150	SOLD
2002	02	Audi	A4	3.0 Cabriolet	52k	7400	SOLD
2005	55	Audi	A4	1.9 TDI TDV S-Line Estate	97k	7700	SOLD
2006	06	Audi	A4	2.0 TDI TDV SE 4dr	44k	9825	SOLD
2006	06	Audi	A4	1.8T S-Line Mtronic Cabriolet	41k	14900	SOLD
2007	56	Audi	A4	1.8T Mtronic Cabriolet	24k	13525	SOLD
2007	07	Audi	A4	2.0 TDI Sport Cabriolet	45k	15400	SOLD
2003	03	Audi	A6	1.9 TDI SE Saloon (130)	82k	4500	SOLD
2008	08	Audi	A6	3.0 TDI Quattro Le Mans Estate	29k	19400	SOLD
2007	07	Audi	A6	2.0 TDI TDV SE Saloon	79k	9650	SOLD
2004	04	Audi	A8	4.0 TDI Quattro Auto LWB	113k	9000	SOLD
2007	07	Audi	Q7	3.0 Tdi Quattro S-Line Tip Auto	31k	24100	SOLD
2003	03	Audi	S3	Quattro (225) 3dr	84k	6625	SOLD
2008	08	Audi	S3	Quattro 3dr	26k	20500	SOLD
2001	51	Audi	TT	Quattro Coupe (180)	62k	6425	SOLD
2003	53	Audi	TT	150bhp Roadster	59k	7250	SOLD
2007	07	Audi	TT	2.0T FSI S-Tronic Coupe	17k	19450	SOLD
2008	08	Audi	TT	2.0 TFSI S-tronic Coupe	26k	19400	SOLD
2006	06	BMW	116i	SE 5dr	56k	7750	SOLD
2005	05	BMW	118D	SE 5dr	44k	8300	SOLD
2007	07	BMW	130i	M Sport LE 3dr	43k	14600	SOLD
2006	06	BMW	318CI	M Sport Step Auto Coupe	40k	11150	SOLD
2006	06	BMW	318D	M Sport Saloon	91k	9600	SOLD
2006	56	BMW	318i	M Sport Saloon	63k	11125	SOLD
2003	03	BMW	320D	SE Saloon	96k	4450	SOLD
2003	53	BMW	320D	ES Touring	52k	5600	SOLD
2005	05	BMW	325CI	SE Convertible	27k	12600	SOLD
2000	W	BMW	325i	SE Saloon	76k	3200	SOLD
1996	P	BMW	328i	SE Auto Saloon	129k	700	SOLD
2006	56	BMW	330CI	M Sport Convertible o/s	33k	16000	SOLD
2007	07	BMW	520D	SE Step Auto Saloon	39k	15650	SOLD
2006	06	BMW	525D	SE Saloon	91k	9400	SOLD
2003	53	BMW	530D	SE Auto Saloon	170k	6400	SOLD
2006	06	BMW	530D	M Sport Saloon	27k	16400	SOLD
2007	57	BMW	530D	SE 4dr	24k	17900	SOLD
2005	05	BMW	645CI	SMG Coupe	16k	19300	Provisional
2005	55	BMW	750LI	LWB Auto Saloon	31k	18000	SOLD
2007	57	BMW	X3	2.0D SE	23k	16400	SOLD
2002	02	BMW	X5	3.0i Sport Auto	64k	9300	SOLD
2007	57	BMW	X5	3.0d SE Auto n/s	30k	26200	SOLD
2007	07	BMW	Z4	2.0i SE Roadster	20k	13450	SOLD
2005	05	Chrysler	Crossfire	3.2 V6 Auto Roadster	48k	9600	SOLD
2006	56	Citroen	C4	1.6i 16V VTR Coupe	21k	4300	SOLD
2009	58	Citroen	C4	Grand Picasso 1.6 HDI VTR Plus EGS	<1k	12850	SOLD
2006	55	Citroen	C8	2.0i 16V SX	21k	5000	SOLD
2008	58	Fiat	500	1.2 Sport	15k	7800	SOLD
2007	07	Fiat	Grande Punto	1.2 Dynamic 3dr	13k	5475	SOLD
2008	58	Fiat	Grande Punto	1.2 Active 3dr	6k	5400	SOLD
2004	04	Ford	Focus	ST170 5dr	37k	4850	SOLD
2002	52	Ford	Focus	2.0 ST170 5dr	56k	3275	SOLD
2002	52	Ford	Mondeo	2.0 TDCI 130 Ghia X Auto 5dr	114k	2250	SOLD
2005	05	Honda	Accord	2.2i CDTI Executive 4dr	83k	4400	SOLD
2007	57	Honda	Civic	2.0 VTEC Type R 3dr	24k	10700	SOLD
2003	03	Honda	CR-V	2.0 VTEC SE Sport Auto	92k	3500	SOLD
2006	06	Honda	CR-V	2.2 TDI Executive	34k	10800	SOLD
2005	05	Honda	Jazz	1.4 DSI Sport 5dr	40k	5450	SOLD
2000	X	Jaguar	S-Type	3.0 V6 SE Auto	71k	2625	SOLD
1996	N	Jaguar	XJ	4.0 Sovereign Auto	61k	675	SOLD
2003	53	Jaguar	XKR	4.2 V8 Suprcharged Auto Coupe	61k	13600	SOLD
2007	07	Jaguar	XKR	4.2 V8 Supercharged Auto Convertible	20k	38500	SOLD
2004	04	Jaguar	X-Type	2.0D Classic Saloon	89k	3300	SOLD
2005	55	Jaguar	X-Type	2.2D Sport Estate	72k	7400	SOLD
2008	58	Jeep	Cherokee	2.8 CRD Limited Auto n/s	12k	15200	SOLD
2006	56	Jeep	Cherokee	2.8 CRD Limited	32k	8900	SOLD
2007	56	Jeep	Commander	3.0 CRD Limited Auto	27k	13650	SOLD
2003	53	Jeep	Grand Cherokee	4.7 V8 Overland Auto	42k	4800	SOLD
2006	06	Jeep	Grand Cherokee	4.7 V8 Limited Auto (nav)	17k	11400	SOLD
2006	56	Jeep	Grand Cherokee	3.0 CRD Overland Auto	34k	14600	SOLD
2006	56	Jeep	Grand Cherokee	6.1 V8 SRT-8 Auto	8k	19200	SOLD
2008	08	Kia	Sorento	2.5 CRDI Titan 5dr	7k	13800	SOLD
2006	06	Land Rover	Discovery	2.7 TD V6 Auto	27k	16650	SOLD
2007	07	Land Rover	Discovery	2.7 TD V6 HSE Auto	30k	23200	SOLD
2008	57	Land Rover	Freelander 2	2.2 TD4 S 5dr	11k	14000	SOLD
2006	06	Lexus	IS	220D saloon	64k	8950	SOLD
2006	06	Lexus	IS	220D SE-L Saloon	62k	9650	SOLD
2007	07	Mazda	MX-5	1.8i Convertible	8k	10500	SOLD
2007	07	Mazda	MX-5	1.8i (Option Pack) Convertible	25k	9550	SOLD
2005	55	Mazda	RX-8	192bhp Coupe	43k	6375	SOLD
1981	Y	Mercedes	280E	Saloon	103k	260	SOLD
2000	W	Mercedes	A160	Avantgarde ACS 5dr	93k	1725	SOLD
2005	05	Mercedes	A200	Avantgarde SE Tip Auto 5dr	16k	8500	SOLD
2005	05	Mercedes	C200	CDI Avantgarde SE Auto Saloon	22k	10875	SOLD
2006	55	Mercedes	C280	Avantgarde SE Auto Saloon	29k	10050	SOLD
1998	R	Mercedes	CLK	230K Elegance Auto Coupe	84k	2325	SOLD
2004	04	Mercedes	CLK	200K Auto Coupe	31k	10500	SOLD
2008	57	Mercedes	CLS	CLS500 (388) Tip Auto Saloon	3k	26700	Provisional
2003	03	Mercedes	E270	CDI Elegance Tip Auto Saloon	35k	9500	SOLD
2005	55	Mercedes	E280	CDI Avantgarde Tip Auto Estate	56k	13700	SOLD
2007	57	Mercedes	E280	CDI Sport Tip Auto Saloon	30k	17850	SOLD
2003	53	Mercedes	E320	Avantgarde Tip Auto (petrol)	64k	7950	SOLD
2003	03	Mercedes	S350	Auto Saloon	62k	7150	SOLD
2003	03	Mercedes	SLK	230K Tip Auto Roadster	38k	9300	SOLD
2008	08	MINI	Clubman	Cooper 1.6	8k	11800	SOLD
2005	55	MINI	Cooper S	1.6 3dr	42k	8150	SOLD
2006	06	MINI	Cooper S	1.6 3dr Auto (AC)	31k	9700	SOLD
2007	07	MINI	Cooper S	1.6 3dr	16k	10700	SOLD
2007	07	MINI	Cooper S	1.6 3dr Auto (AC)	20k	12350	SOLD
2008	08	Mitsubishi	Outlander	2.0 DD Warrior (leather)	13k	14650	SOLD
2006	56	Mitsubishi	Shogun	Sport 2.5TD Trojan 5dr (114)	26k	8100	SOLD
2004	54	Nissan	Micra	1.2 S Auto 5dr	10k	4250	SOLD
2006	06	Nissan	Note	1.6 SE Auto	18k	6100	SOLD
2008	57	Nissan	Note	1.4 Acenta 5dr	5k	6400	SOLD
2006	56	Nissan	Pathfinder	2.5 DCI Aventura Auto	19k	13900	SOLD
2007	07	Nissan	Qashqai	2.0 Acenta CVT 5dr	12k	11500	SOLD
2006	06	Peugeot	206	1.6 HDI Allure Coupe Cabriolet (AC)	32k	8250	SOLD
2005	05	Peugeot	206	2.0 HDI Sport 5dr	40k	4075	SOLD
2003	53	Peugeot	307	1.6 SE 16V (AC) 5dr	47k	2800	SOLD
2006	55	Peugeot	407	2.0 HDI 136 SE Luxury Pack SW	44k	6050	SOLD
2003	52	Porsche	911	Carrera 4 S Tip S Coupe	54k	20900	SOLD
2004	54	Porsche	Boxster S	3.2 260bhp Roadster	35k	15000	SOLD
2006	06	Range Rover	Sport	4.2 V8 Supercharged Auto	108k	21200	SOLD
2007	07	Range Rover	Sport	2.7 TD V6 S Auto	28k	20600	SOLD
2008	08	Range Rover	Sport	2.7 TDV6 HSE Auto	26k	31100	SOLD
2003	53	Range Rover	Vogue	3.0 TD6 Auto	69k	14500	SOLD
2007	07	Renault	Clio	1.2 16V Extreme 3dr	9k	4700	SOLD
2005	05	Renault	Grand Espace	2.2 DCI Dynamique	122k	3300	SOLD
2001	51	Renault	Laguna	1.8 16V Expression 5dr	116k	950	SOLD
2007	07	Renault	Megane	2.0 DCI 150 GT 3dr	70k	7100	SOLD
2000	X	Saab	9-3	2.0T SE 5dr Hatchback	131k	600	SOLD
2006	06	Saab	9-3	1.9 TiD Vector Sport (120) 4dr	55k	6500	SOLD
2006	06	Saab	9-3	1.9 TiD Vector Sport (150) 4dr	66k	5800	SOLD
2007	07	Saab	9-3	1.9 TiD Linear Sport (150) 4dr	26k	8450	SOLD
2005	05	Saab	9-3	2.0T Aero Convertible	59k	9500	SOLD
1998	S	Saab	9-5	2.0T 4dr	146k	300	SOLD
2004	54	Saab	9-5	2.2 TiD Linear Auto Estate	62k	4050	SOLD
2007	57	Seat	Leon	1.9 TDI Reference 5dr	7k	8300	SOLD
2007	07	Skoda	Fabia	1.2 12V Ambiente 5dr	17k	4850	SOLD
2001	51	Skoda	Octavia	1.9 TDI Elegance 5dr	83k	2225	SOLD
2005	05	Subaru	Legacy	2.5i SE Estate	68k	4425	SOLD
2008	58	Subaru	Tribeca	3.0 SE5 Auto	4k	15300	SOLD
2007	07	Suzuki	Grand Vitara	2.0 16V 5dr	18k	8100	SOLD
2007	57	Suzuki	Swift	1.5 GLX 5dr	11k	6500	SOLD
2005	55	Toyota	Celica	1.8 VVTI T-Sport Coupe	23k	8200	SOLD
2006	06	Toyota	RAV-4	2.2 D4-D XT4 5dr	31k	12000	SOLD
2006	06	Toyota	RAV-4	2.2 D4-D T180 5dr	21k	14000	SOLD
2008	08	Vauxhall	Antara	2.0 CDTI 16V S 5dr	18k	11700	SOLD
2006	06	Vauxhall	Astra	1.8i 16V Exclusiv Convertible	40k	5700	SOLD
2006	06	Vauxhall	Astra	2.0T 16V VXR 3dr	20k	10400	SOLD
2007	07	Vauxhall	Corsa	1.2 16V Club 3dr (AC) n/s	17k	5600	SOLD
2006	06	Volkswagen	Golf Plus	2.0 GT TDI	43k	7200	SOLD
2006	56	Volkswagen	Golf Plus	2.0T GTI 3dr	27k	12350	SOLD
2005	55	Volkswagen	Passat	2.0 TDI Sport saloon	75k	6450	SOLD
2006	06	Volkswagen	Passat	1.9 SE TDI Saloon	52k	6400	SOLD
2006	06	Volkswagen	Passat	2.0 TDI Sport Estate	63k	8050	SOLD
2007	07	Volkswagen	Passat	2.0 TDI SE DSG Estate	39k	10900	SOLD
2008	08	Volkswagen	Passat	2.0 SE TDI Saloon	44k	9700	SOLD
2008	58	Volkswagen	Tiguan	2.0 DI SE Auto	1k	22700	SOLD
2007	07	Volkswagen	Touareg	3.0 V6 TDI SE Tip Auto	26k	19100	SOLD
2006	06	Volkswagen	Touran	1.9 TDI SE	92k	5325	SOLD
2007	07	Volkswagen	Touran	1.9 TDI SE (105)	39k	9575	SOLD
2008	08	Volvo	C70	2.0D SE Coupe Convertible	35k	15450	SOLD
1999	T	Volvo	S80	2.4 SE Auto (170bhp)	112k	1000	SOLD
2008	57	Volvo	S80	2.4 D5 SE Lux (185) Saloon	11k	14200	SOLD
2006	06	Volvo	V50	2.0D SE Estate	35k	9350	SOLD
2000	W	Volvo	V70	2.4T Estate	147k	1450	SOLD

[futureclassics]

A Saab 9-3 2.0T for £300!! That's got to be a steal. Putting 4 tyres on my 04 plate VW Bora cost me £63 more than that!!

Chris

[rgracin]

What condition was the Y reg Merc 280E? Poor at £260 I suppose?

[V8mate]

rgracin said:

What condition was the Y reg Merc 280E? Poor at £260 I suppose?

It was everything you'd expect from a £260 Merc

Austin Princess Brown, IIRC.

[havoc]

'05 Legacy 2.5 for £4.4k!

That's a lot of motor for the money there...

[V8mate]

havoc said:

'05 Legacy 2.5 for £4.4k!

That's a lot of motor for the money there...

Yep. There was a thread in GG a few days ago where the OP was thinking about buying a brand new saloon model. Can you imagine the depreciation he'd face, when a Tourer devalues like that?!

[Mikey_W]

Have the prices of the 211 E Class taken a hit as yet, with the new model now out?

[V8mate]

Mikey_W said:

Have the prices of the 211 E Class taken a hit as yet, with the new model now out?

Bit early for that yet. Ask me again in 18 month's time

And in any case, good quality used cars are still much more sought after than new cars.

[va1o]

Good write-up as always

BTW I think your Golf Plus 3dr GTI listing may be slightly incorrect

Buyers fees is a good inclusion in the report. At the lower end of the scale they can be quite expensive though, my local BCA said they wanted £188 for cars between £500 - £749.

ETA - Also what happened to the new Fiesta and Scirocco that you mentioned in another thread.. or will the be in next weeks report?

Edited by va1o on Monday 22 June 23:53

[S3_Graham]

lovely write up again, i look forward to your 'shed of the week' edition. no doubt it will have me reaching for my wallet and cancelling my cruise!!

[A - W]

Thanks V8.

[Gridl0k]

My top tip for buying a car by the way is to get an HPI check done whether it needs it or not, as they come with 7 days' driveaway cover from NU included - so £19.99 for 7 days' cover...

Did me proud on my C43.

[mechsympathy]

Interesting write up.

But 2nd paragraph - fewer dealers, not less.

[V8mate]

va1o said:

Good write-up as always

BTW I think your Golf Plus 3dr GTI listing may be slightly incorrect

Correct. Excel autocopied the previous entry

It's just a 3dr Golf GTI

va1o said:

Buyers fees is a good inclusion in the report. At the lower end of the scale they can be quite expensive though, my local BCA said they wanted £188 for cars between £500 - £749.

I'll include fees pertinent to 'cheapy' cars next week too.

va1o said:

ETA - Also what happened to the new Fiesta and Scirocco that you mentioned in another thread.. or will the be in next weeks report?

Will be a couple of weeks - journalistic delay

So, as my #1 hardcore reader, here's a sneak preview

Year	Plate	Make	Model	Detail	Mileage	Price
2009	58	Volkswagen	Scirocco	2.0 TSI GT Coupe	3k	£18800
2008	58	Ford	Fiesta	1.4 TDCI Style+ 3dr	6k	£9375

[V8mate]

Gridl0k said:

My top tip for buying a car by the way is to get an HPI check done whether it needs it or not, as they come with 7 days' driveaway cover from NU included - so £19.99 for 7 days' cover...

Did me proud on my C43.

Sounds like a plan

[mechsympathy]

Why do you keep deleting and reposting your posts?

[texasjohn]

Thanks for taking the time to provide us with the auction prices V8!

[charlietango]

I was just wondering if you had any more information about that 911 C4S?? It looked fairly cheap so was wondering if it was a bad colour combination, no history, lots of owners e.t.c ????

[V8mate]

charlietango said:

I was just wondering if you had any more information about that 911 C4S?? It looked fairly cheap so was wondering if it was a bad colour combination, no history, lots of owners e.t.c ????

It was a nice looking car - dark blue - but had had 6 owners!

[nsmith1180]

Another great report with the selling prices at the end which is really helpful, now I can go to the boss and tell him he is buying in cars way too expensive!