Auction Advice
Discussion
Hi,
After a very helpful lady smashed my Seat Leon to bits the other morning I have since heard it is a total loss. They are giving me £1200 for the car..
I am looking for a small family hatchback TDi (pref VAG)....What could £1200 buy me at auction (including fees and tax).
I am fairly good at looking over cars and have read many of the advice guides on 'how to buy at auction' etc.
Is there still space at auctions for private buyers and can bargains still be had?
After a very helpful lady smashed my Seat Leon to bits the other morning I have since heard it is a total loss. They are giving me £1200 for the car..
I am looking for a small family hatchback TDi (pref VAG)....What could £1200 buy me at auction (including fees and tax).
I am fairly good at looking over cars and have read many of the advice guides on 'how to buy at auction' etc.
Is there still space at auctions for private buyers and can bargains still be had?
Try and get a look at the car before it goes on the block. Often auction sites wont allow this. For £1200 you are in serious scrap territory. If you are desperate for a car you may need to broaden your search. Just choose with your head and you will be fine. Patience is a virtue and all that!
Always remember that there is a reason cars go to auction.
Yes some are px's that bigger dealers can't be bothered with but some are complete lemons.
I wouldn't buy a cheap diesel from an auction, just because it drives in and has an mot means nothing, it could need the purchase price spening again to get it running properly.
Just my 2p but you would be taking too much of a gamble as this end of the market.
Yes some are px's that bigger dealers can't be bothered with but some are complete lemons.
I wouldn't buy a cheap diesel from an auction, just because it drives in and has an mot means nothing, it could need the purchase price spening again to get it running properly.
Just my 2p but you would be taking too much of a gamble as this end of the market.
My parents have bought nearly all their cars from auctions...
300 - 500 quid is usually what you can buy stuff for.
An Alfa romeo 156, A Volkswagen Passat (Which was dying) Citroen Picasso, Renault Megane, and a Peugeot 206 were all parchases within the last few years.
Lots of choice for 1200 quid, usually.
Mostly middle/late 90's stuff.
300 - 500 quid is usually what you can buy stuff for.
An Alfa romeo 156, A Volkswagen Passat (Which was dying) Citroen Picasso, Renault Megane, and a Peugeot 206 were all parchases within the last few years.
Lots of choice for 1200 quid, usually.
Mostly middle/late 90's stuff.
If, and it is a big if, you know what you are doing, £1200 could get you a great car through the ring. It could also get you a dog, and even experienced traders get bitten from time to time.
Look to see how much trade interest there is in a car before it goes through - IME the traders know and keep each other informed which ones to steer clear of, so if you see a car that the traders don't wont and it's only got private interest, chances are it's shagged.
Per an above comment, I've never been to an auction where you aren't even allowed to look at the cars before they go through.
Try and watch the ones start if you think they might be worth a bid, often tells you a lot.
Look to see how much trade interest there is in a car before it goes through - IME the traders know and keep each other informed which ones to steer clear of, so if you see a car that the traders don't wont and it's only got private interest, chances are it's shagged.
Per an above comment, I've never been to an auction where you aren't even allowed to look at the cars before they go through.
Try and watch the ones start if you think they might be worth a bid, often tells you a lot.
HiRoller said:
Is it likely to offer me any better value that buying off the bay?
It really is hit and miss with auctions although there will be more on offer. By all means have a pop and see what comes up.IMHO I prefer to do the research and viewing myself with private sellers as the responsibility is mine. If I mess up it means some chancer hasnt conned me, its me missing a trick when viewing the car.
I've bought my last 2 cars from auction. First was an 04 plate civic sport 1.6 with 110k FSH, owned it for just over a year and a half and didn't have a single problem with it. Got rid of that then when the miles were adding up (137k) next choice was an 04 plate clio 182 with 34k, bought it with no mot or tax and I've owned since July with no problems.
My advice would be to use auctions as bargains can be had but don't let your common sense fly out of the window when you're bidding. If you don't know a lot about cars, get a mate to check it over first.
My advice would be to use auctions as bargains can be had but don't let your common sense fly out of the window when you're bidding. If you don't know a lot about cars, get a mate to check it over first.
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