Buying from an auction
Discussion
As per the title, apologies if this has been done before.
I'm looking for a new cheap family car for local journeys and b&q trips etc.
I'm 6'3 so need something quite big for the kids to have any leg room in the back and they're both still in car seats which seem to stick their legs forwards rather than down.
I've decided if like an a6, superb or v70 or something along those lines.
Money is tight at the moment so have a budget of about 4k.
Looking around online on autoloader, ebay, market place etc it seems that everyone selling seems to want to be a dealer from their driveway.
They have no knowledge of the cars they're selling, don't offer warranties or similar but still want the inflated price you'd expect on a forecourt.
Most are tatty and or have moon miles on them.
So it got me thinking, would I be better cutting out the middle man and just buying from an auction, I'm aware of the risk associated but they seem to be the same risks buying from the wannabe dealers just without the increased price.
I've never bought from an auction before, I wouldn't touch copart but have a Hobbs Parker not too far from me and you can view the catalogue online with a guide price to give you a rough idea of price and if I'm honest it seems very tempting.
An example is an 08 plate v70, 2 owners and a full dealer history with only 94k on the clock.
Guide price 3500-4000
Am I missing a trick here? And has anyone bought cars privately this way before? It seems like a no brainer to me.
I'm looking for a new cheap family car for local journeys and b&q trips etc.
I'm 6'3 so need something quite big for the kids to have any leg room in the back and they're both still in car seats which seem to stick their legs forwards rather than down.
I've decided if like an a6, superb or v70 or something along those lines.
Money is tight at the moment so have a budget of about 4k.
Looking around online on autoloader, ebay, market place etc it seems that everyone selling seems to want to be a dealer from their driveway.
They have no knowledge of the cars they're selling, don't offer warranties or similar but still want the inflated price you'd expect on a forecourt.
Most are tatty and or have moon miles on them.
So it got me thinking, would I be better cutting out the middle man and just buying from an auction, I'm aware of the risk associated but they seem to be the same risks buying from the wannabe dealers just without the increased price.
I've never bought from an auction before, I wouldn't touch copart but have a Hobbs Parker not too far from me and you can view the catalogue online with a guide price to give you a rough idea of price and if I'm honest it seems very tempting.
An example is an 08 plate v70, 2 owners and a full dealer history with only 94k on the clock.
Guide price 3500-4000
Am I missing a trick here? And has anyone bought cars privately this way before? It seems like a no brainer to me.
The trick you may be missing is that there would be some hefty fees to pay.
(Edit to Add: Hobbs Parker would (for a £4000 sale) either £300, £360 or 10% (all plus VAT) depending if it was a General, Specialist or Classic auction)
Also, the estimate might also be just there to get you interested - can you see the hammer prices of previous sales to get a more realistic idea of what things sell for.
Finally. A cynic might suggest cars are being entered into an auction are because they aren't good enough to sell without some expensive preparation.
(Edit to Add: Hobbs Parker would (for a £4000 sale) either £300, £360 or 10% (all plus VAT) depending if it was a General, Specialist or Classic auction)
Also, the estimate might also be just there to get you interested - can you see the hammer prices of previous sales to get a more realistic idea of what things sell for.
Finally. A cynic might suggest cars are being entered into an auction are because they aren't good enough to sell without some expensive preparation.
Edited by Truckosaurus on Tuesday 9th May 14:49
There is generally a reason the car is in an auction rather than a forecourt or driveway.
Especially when 'prime' second hand stock is in relatively short supply.
I'm a fool when it comes to buying cars (as in head not heart), and I change my cars a lot but I'd never buy something from an auction. I used to work in the motor trade and we had a policy never to buy from an auction for this reason.
But, that been said most branded dealers have a straight to action policy and WBAC is owned by BCA so. But looking at some of the prices, there are not the bargains to be had there once used to be.
Especially when 'prime' second hand stock is in relatively short supply.
I'm a fool when it comes to buying cars (as in head not heart), and I change my cars a lot but I'd never buy something from an auction. I used to work in the motor trade and we had a policy never to buy from an auction for this reason.
But, that been said most branded dealers have a straight to action policy and WBAC is owned by BCA so. But looking at some of the prices, there are not the bargains to be had there once used to be.
I just assumed that PX cars too old or tatty for a forecourt go off to auction.
Buying anything within my budget seems to be a bit of a gamble anyway as I'm looking at 13+ year old cars, I usually buy with my head entirely and spent far too long considering things that anything decently priced seems to come and go why I'm sill thinking about it.
Hobbs Parker recomend viewing cars anyway and it's not too far for me to go and have a look around some.
I'll have a look into buying fees but suspect even with 10% added I'd still be making a hefty saving and also not lining someone else's pocket who is trying to cash in on "flipping cars".
Buying anything within my budget seems to be a bit of a gamble anyway as I'm looking at 13+ year old cars, I usually buy with my head entirely and spent far too long considering things that anything decently priced seems to come and go why I'm sill thinking about it.
Hobbs Parker recomend viewing cars anyway and it's not too far for me to go and have a look around some.
I'll have a look into buying fees but suspect even with 10% added I'd still be making a hefty saving and also not lining someone else's pocket who is trying to cash in on "flipping cars".
sunnyb13 said:
The word here is “ cheap”
Looking for a cheap car will invariable be driveway traders or dodgy sellers. It’s cheap for a reason…
Better to spend a few extra quid and buy from a reputable seller.
I agree it's better to spend a few quid, but when you genuinly don't have a few quid extra to spend then it puts you in an awkward predicament.Looking for a cheap car will invariable be driveway traders or dodgy sellers. It’s cheap for a reason…
Better to spend a few extra quid and buy from a reputable seller.
I need a car to get the kids to school/nursery as the distance between them and closeness of the kick out times make it impossible to do on foot, which rules out holding off and saving up a bit longer.
Cakey_ said:
I agree it's better to spend a few quid, but when you genuinly don't have a few quid extra to spend then it puts you in an awkward predicament.
I need a car to get the kids to school/nursery as the distance between them and closeness of the kick out times make it impossible to do on foot, which rules out holding off and saving up a bit longer.
Then instead of an Audi a6 maybe look at the peugeot 207 estate or Vauxhall insignia instead. You won’t be scraping the bottom of the barrel that way. I need a car to get the kids to school/nursery as the distance between them and closeness of the kick out times make it impossible to do on foot, which rules out holding off and saving up a bit longer.
Go on Atrader/Pistonheads/Ebay and find the best sensible mileage V70 for your budget.
They take their mileage well so anything up to 120k miles would be ok.
Look for decent MOT history and servicing.
Avoid the 1.6d engine, 163 bhp (2.0) and 200 bhp (2.4d) engines are both good engines.
They take their mileage well so anything up to 120k miles would be ok.
Look for decent MOT history and servicing.
Avoid the 1.6d engine, 163 bhp (2.0) and 200 bhp (2.4d) engines are both good engines.
Cakey_ said:
Money is tight at the moment so have a budget of about 4k.
I really wouldn't want to be looking at a bargain basement one of those especially if money is tight. I owned a V70 D5 diesel and the TPS module needed replacing. Think the bill was £500+ That's the tyre pressure system. Only Volvo could do it.
People tend to sell Superbs etc when they have had a good chunk of usually life- say I'm wrong but you are entering niggles etc after 100k.
What about a lease? Look at the best bargain lease thread. Put a decent deposit down.
I've looked at French cars, I've had bad experiences in the past with them though so puts me off a little.
Due to the crazy money cars fetch these days going for a lesser brand doesnt really get you anything an awful lot newer so it's not really the attraction it used to be.
I feel I'd have more faith in an a6 with 130k than I would in a 307 or whatever they are that's a couple of years newer but still got 90-100k on the clocks.
I also think I'd feel less bitter about inevitable repairs on something I like than something I dont but just bought because it seemed like a more sensible option at the time.
The used car market is wild at the moment, long gone are the days of throwing a grand at a cheapish run around and taking a chance that it'll be reliable.
You now need to spend 3-4k and hope it'll be reliable except they'll be a lot more tears when a big bill drops up.
I know nothing about leasing, if its PCP you mean I've never really been a fan but still dont think I'd be able to spare enough cash monthly to get something worthwhile, strapping myself up for 3 or 4 years on an aygo or something similar doesnt really appeal and that's probably about where my monthly budget is at the moment.
I looked at Dacia's and even then within my budget they had pretty high miles and quite scaby, it's not a brand snob thing it's about something that actually seems worth spending money on and an old clapped out duster just doesnt seem to make sense to me.
Due to the crazy money cars fetch these days going for a lesser brand doesnt really get you anything an awful lot newer so it's not really the attraction it used to be.
I feel I'd have more faith in an a6 with 130k than I would in a 307 or whatever they are that's a couple of years newer but still got 90-100k on the clocks.
I also think I'd feel less bitter about inevitable repairs on something I like than something I dont but just bought because it seemed like a more sensible option at the time.
The used car market is wild at the moment, long gone are the days of throwing a grand at a cheapish run around and taking a chance that it'll be reliable.
You now need to spend 3-4k and hope it'll be reliable except they'll be a lot more tears when a big bill drops up.
I know nothing about leasing, if its PCP you mean I've never really been a fan but still dont think I'd be able to spare enough cash monthly to get something worthwhile, strapping myself up for 3 or 4 years on an aygo or something similar doesnt really appeal and that's probably about where my monthly budget is at the moment.
I looked at Dacia's and even then within my budget they had pretty high miles and quite scaby, it's not a brand snob thing it's about something that actually seems worth spending money on and an old clapped out duster just doesnt seem to make sense to me.
Hugo Stiglitz said:
I mean leasing not PCP. Last time I was in the market I looked at Skoda Kodiac for less than 200 a month on 12k miles a year etc.
There's a long running topic on PH for best lease deals. I don't know what's good at the moment but worth a browse?
I'll find the thread and have a read up, thanksThere's a long running topic on PH for best lease deals. I don't know what's good at the moment but worth a browse?
Eyersey1234 said:
Had you considered a Focus or a Mondeo OP?
I've had a brief look, a family friend has had a couple of mondeo's and a fair few problems with them but that could be down to the lack of maintenance theyve recieved.....I'm not against them just never really been a fan of fords so they're not really on my radar, I'll have another look.
I think the only way to get a bargain these days is eBay (auctions) or Facebook Marketplace.
I too had a £4k limit on buying the missus a new family car last year. Managed to get a 2015 Fiat 500L MPW for £3,400 with 65k miles which I think in the current market was a bit of a bargain. Yes not the ultimate driving machine, but it suits our family needs fine, and with a big arse boot (it's the 5+2 version)
I was also hunting for a new car for my mum last year, £4k again! I found a 2015 Fiat 500 with 40k (facelift model) looked really nice but she just didn't like them. Eventually got her a 2013 Clio, but, afterwards I found a 2016 MG3 with 8k miles (yes 8,000) for £3,995 on Facebook, and it was local. I didn't bother telling her about that one seeing as though we had already purchased by then.
So yeah, I'd stick to looking at those two places initially. Every now and then there's something on Gumtree too, but I really don't like that website.
I too had a £4k limit on buying the missus a new family car last year. Managed to get a 2015 Fiat 500L MPW for £3,400 with 65k miles which I think in the current market was a bit of a bargain. Yes not the ultimate driving machine, but it suits our family needs fine, and with a big arse boot (it's the 5+2 version)
I was also hunting for a new car for my mum last year, £4k again! I found a 2015 Fiat 500 with 40k (facelift model) looked really nice but she just didn't like them. Eventually got her a 2013 Clio, but, afterwards I found a 2016 MG3 with 8k miles (yes 8,000) for £3,995 on Facebook, and it was local. I didn't bother telling her about that one seeing as though we had already purchased by then.
So yeah, I'd stick to looking at those two places initially. Every now and then there's something on Gumtree too, but I really don't like that website.
in which case a ford focus estate / ford mondeo would fit the bill. All cars have horror stories, common faults etc. Buy based on condition and service history. Mileage shouldn't be much of a concern as long as they are well oiled they are good. If possible search for "1 owner" as keyword on autotrader. Maybe see if a V60 could fit the quota?
Hope you get a good car sorted
Hope you get a good car sorted
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