How do I buy at auction?

[james_tigerwoods]

The OH's Honda Jazz is going to have to go soon - it's just not up to the job.

I've been scouting around and trying to look for a car that fits the bill (I'm not going to do a "what car" thread) - An option, I've thought about, is to buy a car from an auction. I'd be looking for a 5-8 year old Focus/Golf/Civic/etc so I'm not looking for anything special.

So, my question it this - how do I go about this?

How do I:

• Find an auction site in/near Scunthorpe
• Find out what might be in the auction
• Bid in a controlled fashion
• Pay
• Drive away

And what legally am I covered for?

[redstu]

I used to go to auctions for cars in your price range. The warranties are worthless and you can probably find better cars from private sellers. Don't take the risk.

[chopper602]

erm - use the internet! (edit - I just found Northern Motor Auctions in Shorpe)

Do plenty of research on weakspots on all the make/models you are considering.

Set yourself a limit of the max you are willing to spend and stick to it

First time - go along and watch, don't take your wallet.

Edited by chopper602 on Wednesday 31st March 20:58

[james_tigerwoods]

Researching the car isn't the hard part - I need something that is less likely to break, so nothing Italian unfortunately (apart from maybe a Punto) - It's just how to behave and understand the dos, don't and gotchas

[dickbastardly]

The thing with car auctions is it's all a bit of a risk if you dont know much about cars!!
normally the cars are in rows of about 10-15 cars and they open them up in rows, so as the first row is going through the second row is open, this is the only time you get to have a good look around the inside/engine bay. You can start the car but you cant drive it!! and unless it is sold with a warranty your stuffed (i bought an automatic from an auction and the bloody thing would not change through the gears!!) even with a warranty it is only good for 1 hour after the sale of the car, so if you have not got insurance you cant drive it to test it!! (some auctions will take you out using their trade plates but it is only a drive up and down the road)
As for bidding as said do your homework to see what price you can get a caar private, decide on a price you want to pay and stick to it. When it comes to bidding dont worry about it, make the auctioneer aware you want to make a bid the first time and he will look for you when it's your turn!! he will run the bidding, if the car is a long way from the reserve he wont start taking £5 bids!! if the car goes to high for you just shake your head 'no' and he will move on to the next bidder.
I would suggest you go along to an auction and normally they will sell you a programe of the cars going through, pick the cars you would be intrested in and watch them go through, marking on the programe the prices they went for, then when you get home you can compare that with the prices of cars for sale in the paper/auto trader/PH.
I have bought some good cars used them for a bit and sold them on for a profit but i have also bought the odd dog so if you know someone who knows cars take them along.
Sorry its a bit long winded, and i cant be bothered to read it back to check for spelling but i am sure you can pick out what i am trying to get at.
Andy

[Rollcage]

Depends how risk averse you are, really. Don't pay more than trade price for anything, and if it is a bag of ste then at least you can run it back through for not too much of a loss.

If possible at that particular auction then go for main agent p/x's, and if you know nothing about the mechanical side of cars then take someone that does.

Try and watch any car you are interested in start and watch it drive through. Ask the driver questions - did it start OK, is the clutch ok, etc. Try and listen to what any obvious traders are saying - if it is knackered then many won't be afraid to tell their mates!

Don't expect retail quality - be prepared to spend some money on your purchase - just make sure you buy it right in the first place. Auction buying is a bit of a gamble - play it right and you can reduce the odds a bit, but it is still a gamble!

Go to a couple before you are prepared to buy something, just so you get used to the feel and pace of the auction ring. Look at other punters when a car goes through - if no one seems to be bidding, and the price is going up, then the auctioneer is bouncing bids off the wall to drive the price up to reserve. Don't get suckered into this - if the trade are not willing to bid, then it is already too dear. I have seen many Billies get suckered into paying way too much for a car at auction because the auctioneer has bid them against themselves up to the reserve price.

Also, find out how much the buyer indemnity is - for Joe Public it can be a substantial additional cost.

Good Luck!