On-line Car Auctions
Discussion
Hi everyone - just wondering what people’s experience has been of buying at an online car auction site. Apparently 80% of buyers do not check the car out in person in advance of auction. Are people having a positive experience and good service from the auction site when an issue arises or are there some painful stories out there?
You might want to be more specific about which auction sites you're referencing... If you're looking at somewhere like Manheim auctions then they're open to trade buyers only. So long as the vehicle isn't misrepresented they're effectively sold as seen and, as a trade buyer, the purchase isn't covered by the Consumer Protection Act.
If you are instead talking about eBay or other auction houses of that nature, unless you're buying an absolute shed then you'd be a madman to go buying unseen from a private seller.
If you are instead talking about eBay or other auction houses of that nature, unless you're buying an absolute shed then you'd be a madman to go buying unseen from a private seller.
Expect zero come back / support from the auction house if the car turns out to be not as expected.
In very rare (very very rare) cases the auction house might credit back the buyers fee to use against a next purchase.
If you are in any doubt, go and view in advance or do not bid.
I bought a £50k car unseen from the inferred auction house however it came with a very strong recommendation from someone who knew the car well. Turned out to be a good car (buy).
I’m currently bidding on 2 cars, both 10+ years old (likely to be £40k+) , my bidding takes into account the cars are likely to
described with optimism.
One of the cars I’m bidding on was previously listed on PH, the two descriptions are not quite the same, for example the auction description makes no mention that car had a respray a few years earlier, where as the PH ad did.
In very rare (very very rare) cases the auction house might credit back the buyers fee to use against a next purchase.
If you are in any doubt, go and view in advance or do not bid.
I bought a £50k car unseen from the inferred auction house however it came with a very strong recommendation from someone who knew the car well. Turned out to be a good car (buy).
I’m currently bidding on 2 cars, both 10+ years old (likely to be £40k+) , my bidding takes into account the cars are likely to
described with optimism.
One of the cars I’m bidding on was previously listed on PH, the two descriptions are not quite the same, for example the auction description makes no mention that car had a respray a few years earlier, where as the PH ad did.
Edited by Wilmslowboy on Wednesday 21st September 10:58
I'll share my limited experience.
I've bought a few cars off Ebay, a VX220, a Panamera, a Boxster and an old Mondeo. I didn't see any in advance but I only paid for them once I'd seen them. All as described, no issues.
A friend bought a Marcos through Car & Classic which I went to pick up for him but with C&C you have to pay in advance of collecting it. He hadn't seen the car, it wasn't easy to communicate with the seller, all a bit of a gamble but it turned out to be a great car.
I don't know if you can read anything from this but I feel there is always the risk of getting a lemon and there'd be no or little comeback.
I've bought a few cars off Ebay, a VX220, a Panamera, a Boxster and an old Mondeo. I didn't see any in advance but I only paid for them once I'd seen them. All as described, no issues.
A friend bought a Marcos through Car & Classic which I went to pick up for him but with C&C you have to pay in advance of collecting it. He hadn't seen the car, it wasn't easy to communicate with the seller, all a bit of a gamble but it turned out to be a great car.
I don't know if you can read anything from this but I feel there is always the risk of getting a lemon and there'd be no or little comeback.
Edited by Pistom on Wednesday 21st September 13:21
General rule is to avoid trade cars as the majority are cast off lemons for a reason. They have expensive issues.
Stick to low owner fleet lease or reposessions with FSH pregerably main dealer entered directly by the vendor. Don't buy without a mechanical report as these cars invariably generally have issues too.
Stick to low owner fleet lease or reposessions with FSH pregerably main dealer entered directly by the vendor. Don't buy without a mechanical report as these cars invariably generally have issues too.
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