So I'm Going to a Car Auction...
Discussion
It's my first one so I just thought ask the PH collective for their worldly advice...
I'm guessing there is only a limited amount of time to check over your prospective purchase and it's unlikely you'll be able to do much more than start her up (if even that?). So what are your top 5 tips on what to check/look out for and have you got any general bidding/buying advice?
I'm guessing there is only a limited amount of time to check over your prospective purchase and it's unlikely you'll be able to do much more than start her up (if even that?). So what are your top 5 tips on what to check/look out for and have you got any general bidding/buying advice?
Benengo said:
It's my first one so I just thought ask the PH collective for their worldly advice...
I'm guessing there is only a limited amount of time to check over your prospective purchase and it's unlikely you'll be able to do much more than start her up (if even that?). So what are your top 5 tips on what to check/look out for and have you got any general bidding/buying advice?
Don't take your wallet with you... I'm guessing there is only a limited amount of time to check over your prospective purchase and it's unlikely you'll be able to do much more than start her up (if even that?). So what are your top 5 tips on what to check/look out for and have you got any general bidding/buying advice?
Watching and learning the first few times seems a sensible novice strategy.
tter tooI'm guessing I won't see you at Blackbushe but the advice is spot-on.
After a while you'll be able to spot the full-time dealers. Try to listen in to their comments to each other as they check a car over and as it's being auctioned.
Be aware that few cars will have tax and MoT so, unless you have a trader's insurance policy, you're stuck. Some will be cat. C or D insurance write-offs. Some will have no V5.
At BCA the nearest you'll get to a warranty is 'no major mechanical faults'. God knows what that means because last week one had no PAS, the ABS and engine management lights were on and the clutch pedal was almost in the carpet. As for 'sold as seen'.
I believe the dealers reckon to take an expensive hit with about one in six cars they buy there. That's what their mark-up is for.
Stuff from the reputable lease companies, with one-year limited mileage, are a safer bet. Motability, Lease-Plan, Black Horse, Lex.
Good luck.
After a while you'll be able to spot the full-time dealers. Try to listen in to their comments to each other as they check a car over and as it's being auctioned.
Be aware that few cars will have tax and MoT so, unless you have a trader's insurance policy, you're stuck. Some will be cat. C or D insurance write-offs. Some will have no V5.
At BCA the nearest you'll get to a warranty is 'no major mechanical faults'. God knows what that means because last week one had no PAS, the ABS and engine management lights were on and the clutch pedal was almost in the carpet. As for 'sold as seen'.
I believe the dealers reckon to take an expensive hit with about one in six cars they buy there. That's what their mark-up is for.
Stuff from the reputable lease companies, with one-year limited mileage, are a safer bet. Motability, Lease-Plan, Black Horse, Lex.
Good luck.
Benengo said:
Ok, so leave the cash at home or bring along SWMBO (...either way there'll be no new metal!)
...But i'm still going to go, so Ladies and Gents, what are the top tips???
Never been to an auction, yet!...But i'm still going to go, so Ladies and Gents, what are the top tips???
From what
I've read/watched don't buy first time.
Set a budget & don't get auction fever.
Invite Used Car Roadshow (Zoe Hardman)
If you are going to actually buy something look at the catalogue and mark down a few cars which are of interest, then work out how much they are worth (remembering fees)
A lot of the cars will be in need of a service.
There'll be plenty time to look around at the bodywork etc, but only a couple of minutes with the engine running.
It will be cold
A lot of the cars will be in need of a service.
There'll be plenty time to look around at the bodywork etc, but only a couple of minutes with the engine running.
It will be cold
Depends where?
Some are definitely better than others.
I have been to one once or twice local to me. They give you plenty of time to look round the cars but obv you dont get to start or drive them. You can however ask the driver questions as they pass through things like are the lights working is the aircon and all electrics working correctly.
Cars will all be unlocked so you can open them up and check them. Lift boot cover check for spare wheel or any creases in boot floor. Check paint carefully. Some will some wont let you open the bonnet and check the oil cap for gunge.
You could walk next to it and listen for any odd grinding or squeaking noises.
Some are definitely better than others.
I have been to one once or twice local to me. They give you plenty of time to look round the cars but obv you dont get to start or drive them. You can however ask the driver questions as they pass through things like are the lights working is the aircon and all electrics working correctly.
Cars will all be unlocked so you can open them up and check them. Lift boot cover check for spare wheel or any creases in boot floor. Check paint carefully. Some will some wont let you open the bonnet and check the oil cap for gunge.
You could walk next to it and listen for any odd grinding or squeaking noises.
As per input so far go to a few and get and idea of how they work, what prices are being paid for cars that interest you and if any crop up the week after as well
Once you have an idea of what your type of car will cost at an auction have a look on PH classifieds, Autotrader etc and see what the difference is if you bought from a dealer where you will get a warranty of some sort, even the basic "fit for purpose" as per Trading Standards regs. Then make a decision if the money saved buying at auction would cover any unpleasant surprises the car could throw at you.
Once you have an idea of what your type of car will cost at an auction have a look on PH classifieds, Autotrader etc and see what the difference is if you bought from a dealer where you will get a warranty of some sort, even the basic "fit for purpose" as per Trading Standards regs. Then make a decision if the money saved buying at auction would cover any unpleasant surprises the car could throw at you.
Oh one other thing.
Quite often the auction houses put up a list of cars in the auction. Check the list before going to the auction. If any take your interest compare them with ones on a/t or ph classifieds to see if its worth a punt.
I would normally aim to pay around 20-25% less for a car at auction than i would pay in a normal sale environment and dont forget to add in the auctions cut.
Quite often the auction houses put up a list of cars in the auction. Check the list before going to the auction. If any take your interest compare them with ones on a/t or ph classifieds to see if its worth a punt.
I would normally aim to pay around 20-25% less for a car at auction than i would pay in a normal sale environment and dont forget to add in the auctions cut.
Edited by Tallbut Buxomly on Tuesday 14th September 19:56
A good bit of advice I got from a motor trader is to bid on cars with the attitude that you don't want them. That way you're less likely to blind yourself to defects, pay over the odds or worry about being outbid. Being outbid a few times is good - it means you might not be the biggest mug in the room.
Also, remember that all the cars in an auction are there for a reason. If it's end of lease, that's probably OK. With private or trade entries you should ask yourself what it is. Could be hard to shift stock, a bad colour, oddly optioned cars (e.g. Jag with cloth seats), or it could have a mechanical or structural defect that may not be immediately obvious. Budget for this.
Also, remember that all the cars in an auction are there for a reason. If it's end of lease, that's probably OK. With private or trade entries you should ask yourself what it is. Could be hard to shift stock, a bad colour, oddly optioned cars (e.g. Jag with cloth seats), or it could have a mechanical or structural defect that may not be immediately obvious. Budget for this.
I would give three pieces of advice.
1. Do not buy the first time you go to an auction
2. Do not buy the second time you go to an auction
3. If you are confident after the first two visits then consider buying at the third one - IF the right car comes along at the right price allowing for a slush fund.
1. Do not buy the first time you go to an auction
2. Do not buy the second time you go to an auction
3. If you are confident after the first two visits then consider buying at the third one - IF the right car comes along at the right price allowing for a slush fund.
Benengo said:
It's my first one so I just thought ask the PH collective for their worldly advice...
I'm guessing there is only a limited amount of time to check over your prospective purchase and it's unlikely you'll be able to do much more than start her up (if even that?). So what are your top 5 tips on what to check/look out for and have you got any general bidding/buying advice?
Not being harsh but I would suggest that if you don't know how an auction works then spending good money at one is not the best idea for you. Professional buyers for big dealer groups can get caught out at auction, a private billy has a good chance of buying a wrong one.I'm guessing there is only a limited amount of time to check over your prospective purchase and it's unlikely you'll be able to do much more than start her up (if even that?). So what are your top 5 tips on what to check/look out for and have you got any general bidding/buying advice?
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