Car Auctions

[Stevenj214]

So I need a new car, budget is around £1200 although more can be added if necessary and a couple of people have suggested I have a look at a car auction.

Intercity Motor Auctions have a sale this Thursday in Glasgow. I've had a look through the stock list and 2 cars have caught my eye:

TOYOTA YARIS T2

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF S

Any tips on car auctions in general or these cars specifically - anything I should look out for or how much they should expect to go for?

[anonymous-user]

The Yaris has been serviced twice in 7 years? and the Golf once in 9 years?

I presume I am misreading that somehow?

[Stevenj214]

Nyphur said:

The Yaris has been serviced twice in 7 years? and the Golf once in 9 years?

I presume I am misreading that somehow?

I took it to mean stamps in the book - not necessarily how many services it's had. So 'part service history'.

[anonymous-user]

Stevenj214 said:

Nyphur said:

The Yaris has been serviced twice in 7 years? and the Golf once in 9 years?

I presume I am misreading that somehow?

I took it to mean stamps in the book - not necessarily how many services it's had. So 'part service history'.

So a replacement book? Otherwise every service I have ever had, the garage has asked for the book to stamp it, so it seems strange.

Suppose the fact that we don't have answers to these questions is part of the inherent risk of buying at auction.

[MJK 24]

Golf seems nice from the three small photos.

I'd beware though that 3 door Mk4 Golfs with the 1,400 engine in silver or black are very popular with younger motorists - you may face some competition when bidding!

[JM]

Stevenj214 said:

Nyphur said:

The Yaris has been serviced twice in 7 years? and the Golf once in 9 years?

I presume I am misreading that somehow?

I took it to mean stamps in the book - not necessarily how many services it's had. So 'part service history'.

Surely the book would be stamped at each service, rather than just every second or third service.

I suspect both cars will either have had an oil change or two outwith the dealer network if your lucky, or will indeed just have had the one/two service/s due to their mileage.
40,000 miles means two 15,000 services or one 20,000 with another due now.

[MJK 24]

Nyphur said:

So a replacement book? Otherwise every service I have ever had, the garage has asked for the book to stamp it, so it seems strange.

Suppose the fact that we don't have answers to these questions is part of the inherent risk of buying at auction.

It's a near 10 year old Golf for around £1,000.

Forget what servicing was done in 2004 - it's irrelevant. Look for clean oil and coolant, and no signs of excessive leakage. Does it have decent tread on the tyres and are they wearing evenly? Can you see the brake discs through the wheel - if so are they servicable or is there a large lip around the outer circumfrance? Any noises or smoke from the engine? Car at this age need to be bought more on condition than anything else. The only history that would be of any real interest would be receipts for clutch or timing belt changes.

In the (small) photos at least, that Golf looks a decent car.

[anonymous-user]

MJK 24 said:

Nyphur said:

So a replacement book? Otherwise every service I have ever had, the garage has asked for the book to stamp it, so it seems strange.

Suppose the fact that we don't have answers to these questions is part of the inherent risk of buying at auction.

It's a near 10 year old Golf for around £1,000.

Forget what servicing was done in 2004 - it's irrelevant....The only history that would be of any real interest would be receipts for clutch or timing belt changes.

In the (small) photos at least, that Golf looks a decent car.

I don't understand that sentiment.

If you had the choice of two cars:

a) Had a lot of history, showing it had been serviced regularly in line with the manufacturers recommended guidelines, but it needed 2 new tyres and the exhaust was blowing a little
b) The car above with next to no history, 4 brand new linglong tyres and a new rear box

You would go for b?

[MJK 24]

Nyphur said:

I don't understand that sentiment.

If you had the choice of two cars:

a) Had a lot of history, showing it had been serviced regularly in line with the manufacturers recommended guidelines, but it needed 2 new tyres and the exhaust was blowing a little
b) The car above with next to no history, 4 brand new linglong tyres and a new rear box

You would go for b?

Car A would be my choice every time.

However, when it comes to 10 year old non GTI Golfs, (or similar run of the mill cars) 85% plus will have minimal or no official history. Doesn't make them a bad purchase by any means. You just need to look for the basics and buy on condition.

If you're looking at a 3 year old Golf that has FSH with mismatched cheap tyres, I'd say it's high likely you could do better for your money.

If you're looking at a 12 year old Golf, with no history for the last 8 years but only 1 previous keeper and is wearing matching Dunlops with all the old MOT certificates, I'd say you could well be onto a winner.

Rejecting the OP's Golf for no offical history may be looking a gift horse in the mouth considering its age and likely price if some basic checks are performed before purchase.

[anonymous-user]

MJK 24 said:

If you're looking at a 3 year old Golf that has FSH with mismatched cheap tyres, I'd say it's high likely you could do better for your money.

If you're looking at a 12 year old Golf, with no history for the last 8 years but only 1 previous keeper and is wearing matching Dunlops with all the old MOT certificates, I'd say you could well be onto a winner.

Fair enough - the distinction of age is what clinches it I suppose.

Out of interest (having only even been to auctions as a "spectator" while a friend went to buy), do you find out the number of previous owners etc?

[Chicharito]

MkIV Golf with 1400cc engine.... massively underpowered and S spec. is really basic.

I'd probably go with the Yaris.

[TROOPER88]

Only had a quick look at the Golf.
You will not get that for £1200.

I would expect it to reach £1800-£2100 plus then you have to add on the indemnity fee would could easily add on a couple of hundred.

[MJK 24]

Nyphur said:

Fair enough - the distinction of age is what clinches it I suppose.

Out of interest (having only even been to auctions as a "spectator" while a friend went to buy), do you find out the number of previous owners etc?

I've been to a local independant Auction dozens of times and occsionally on the entry sheet in the windscreen you may see '1 previous keeper' etc but often that wont be stated so you could assume that the vehicle has a few previous keepers.

[MJK 24]

TROOPER88 said:

Only had a quick look at the Golf.
You will not get that for £1200.

I would expect it to reach £1800-£2100 plus then you have to add on the indemnity fee would could easily add on a couple of hundred.

In the independant auction in Liverpool you'll get a 1.9 TDI 90 for £1,400. That 1.4 would come home for £1,000. Fees on top would be around £50.

[TROOPER88]

The Yaris even more, I would expect it to have a £2000 reserve on it and reach a sale price of circa £2200.

Add on your fee and your upto about £2500 and that is before you will know if any immediate work is needed.

[TROOPER88]

MJK 24 said:

In the independant auction in Liverpool you'll get a 1.9 TDI 90 for £1,400. That 1.4 would come home for £1,000. Fees on top would be around £50.

Fair enough.
From years of experience I would no longer deal with small independent auction houses. 15 years ago these were my first hand experience and it was a bad experience.

BCA and or Manheim are the only one's that I would bother with. They deal with the big Natiomal companies; BMW, Royal Mail, MOD etc etc as well as large regional motor companies and the cars are usually a far better buy.

Stay clear of any privately owned, privately entered vehicles.

[frosted]

MJK 24 said:

TROOPER88 said:

Only had a quick look at the Golf.
You will not get that for £1200.

I would expect it to reach £1800-£2100 plus then you have to add on the indemnity fee would could easily add on a couple of hundred.

In the independant auction in Liverpool you'll get a 1.9 TDI 90 for £1,400. That 1.4 would come home for £1,000. Fees on top would be around £50.

You are not getting the car for £1200 unless its fked

[MJK 24]

TROOPER88 said:

Fair enough.
From years of experience I would no longer deal with small independent auction houses. 15 years ago these were my first hand experience and it was a bad experience.

BCA and or Manheim are the only one's that I would bother with. They deal with the big Natiomal companies; BMW, Royal Mail, MOD etc etc as well as large regional motor companies and the cars are usually a far better buy.

Stay clear of any privately owned, privately entered vehicles.

Yes you need to be careful! And I agree with privately entered vehicles. It's the main dealer part exchanges that you need to be looking at.

[carreauchompeur]

TROOPER88 said:

Stay clear of any privately owned, privately entered vehicles.

Absolutely... These do tend to be absolute dogs.

Recently went to one and saw an RX8, barried to the extreme and clearly clocked. But would have been worth a punt for a grand. However, the private cars often have a comically high reserve- So this one stayed put at £2500!

[johnnyBv8]

The last few auctions I've been to have astounded me in terms of prices....very often similar or more than you could get privately (even though if buying privately you can have a far better look over, test drive, check the history etc etc). I used to buy from auction a lot, but I suspect the principle of auction is now far more acceptable to the general public due to ebay etc. I've also bought from Intercity Glasgow several times (though 6-8 years ago) and they are at the ropier end of the auction market generally.

At the price you're looking at, I'd be looking on Gumtree etc, not auctions.