Buying s salvage vehicle for personal use

[A1taiR]

Hello guys,

I've been reading the forum a lot these days, but haven't found any topic regarding buying salvage vehicle on auction for personal use.

There are a lot of vehicles with minor dents/scratches on the actions, like https://www.copart.co.uk/lot/44280867

I'm wondering is it available to see the vehicle on site, and to get access to it with a key so I could plug in a diagnostic device and read the errors?

Is it available to drive out of the auction site on the bought vehicle if it is in normal condition?

How much could I save buying a vehicle that does not need a repair?

Do I need a license to buy the vehicle for myself? Should I find someone who is buying salvage vehicle and ask for a service?

I would greatly appreciate your response

Thank you

[untakenname]

I'd wonder why a car that's only a few months old and only has 4000 miles on it is listed in a salvage auction in the first place (stolen/recovered?), will probably go for quite a bit and there maybe issues with BMW's warranty further down the line.

I looked at getting a donor car from copart but the fee's put me off, bought a non runner from gumtree instead.

[South tdf]

It's not uncommon for a quite badly damaged car to be cosmetically tidied up before being offered again hiding mechanical damage. It is also worth seeing how some of these cars are pushed or fork lifted around the salvage yards.

In the case of this car it was probably a rental (from First 2 letters of the reg plate) therefore self insured and looking at the wheels and tyres it maybe had parts swapped over.

As for checking the car for codes etc, not something I have heard of and I very much doubt they want "retail" buyers messing around but you could always ask. Lastly, if you get documents you could insure and tax it but I would recommend getting any salvage purchase inspected for road worthiness.

[oldmanbm]

Be very careful and don't buy unseen. A friend bought a Kia Venga with 3000 miles recently that just needed a dented wing sorting out. When he got the car delivered he discovered that the chassis was quite badly rippled and although fixable a few hundred spent quickly became several thousand pounds narrowing the gap between the fixed car and a similar one on the Kia forecourt. A local salvage yard uses two Lithuanians to spruce up cars before being photograph and listed on gumtree etc as light damage - drive home.

[RHVW]

I was looking into this a while ago also. I ready some right horror stories and it put me off. Sounds like you can go and see the car before bidding - not sure you could start the engine though.

Some people were saying that they won the auction, went to collect the car and it had been striped of a lot of parts.....

[A1taiR]

Thanks, guys.
Looks like it would be cheaper to find some stuff at autotrader and try to negotiate about the price to save some money

[treetops]

oldmanbm said:

Be very careful and don't buy unseen. A friend bought a Kia Venga with 3000 miles recently that just needed a dented wing sorting out. When he got the car delivered he discovered that the chassis was quite badly rippled and although fixable a few hundred spent quickly became several thousand pounds narrowing the gap between the fixed car and a similar one on the Kia forecourt. A local salvage yard uses two Lithuanians to spruce up cars before being photograph and listed on gumtree etc as light damage - drive home.

As opposed to two Scotsmen, Irishmen, German, Italians. I always wonder at what people think when they write a nationality.

At least they are working and by your account doing a damn fine job. 👍