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deason

Original Poster:

5,813 posts

162 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
Just nearly complete on handing back my fabled A4.

The process of where a car of this age/miles/quality goes has opened my eyes to the Auction option and buying outright.

Has anyone bought from BCA privately? Being an auction virgin i'm not sure i'd feel comfy going to an actual auction to bid against traders myself.

I'd get the condition will of course not be ideal, but then I can control the cost of work on it over a period of the term.

I'm not sure i'll PCP/PCH again, I'm convinced you can pick up some real bargins at the moment with the drop in value of diesels.

kiethton

14,344 posts

198 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
I bought my 540i from BCA when got it in '13 plus used other auctions to get a car or 2 for family members.

I'd caveat, if it's a late, good condition straight to retail type stock I wouldn't bother, if its any good it'll cost you the same (or more) than what you'd be able to source a similar one from a dealer for but without the recourse/consumer protection

deason

Original Poster:

5,813 posts

162 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
kiethton said:
I bought my 540i from BCA when got it in '13 plus used other auctions to get a car or 2 for family members.

I'd caveat, if it's a late, good condition straight to retail type stock I wouldn't bother, if its any good it'll cost you the same (or more) than what you'd be able to source a similar one from a dealer for but without the recourse/consumer protection
This was my gut feel, a dealer would prep it and take away the hassle factor (i've just had getting rid of the old one to them smile)

TJC46

2,186 posts

224 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
I have in the past purchased a few cars from BCA.

I would always look for a car approx. 12 to 18 months old with balance of manufactures warranty.

Mileage and condition are obviously important, but the BCA grading system on condition [1 to 5] and corresponding report are a fair

indication.

ALWAYS view any car before the auction starts to determine the condition for yourself.

Be prepared to visit the auction a few times and set a bid limit, its quite easy to get carried away.

You would be very lucky, to select a particular car, at a particular auction and be successful first time around.

Register with BCA online and search all there UK auction sites. Also be prepared to travel. The car you most want may not be at

nearest BCA auction.

MorganP104

2,605 posts

148 months

Monday 25th September 2017
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kiethton said:
I bought my 540i from BCA when got it in '13 plus used other auctions to get a car or 2 for family members.

I'd caveat, if it's a late, good condition straight to retail type stock I wouldn't bother, if its any good it'll cost you the same (or more) than what you'd be able to source a similar one from a dealer for but without the recourse/consumer protection
This is good advice. If you are going to buy from auction, buy something unusual, in a funny colour, with a huge engine and strange specification.

In other words, the kind of thing traders will run a mile from.

deason

Original Poster:

5,813 posts

162 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
MorganP104 said:
This is good advice. If you are going to buy from auction, buy something unusual, in a funny colour, with a huge engine and strange specification.

In other words, the kind of thing traders will run a mile from.
How are you gona sell it on long term though?

kiethton

14,344 posts

198 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
deason said:
MorganP104 said:
This is good advice. If you are going to buy from auction, buy something unusual, in a funny colour, with a huge engine and strange specification.

In other words, the kind of thing traders will run a mile from.
How are you gona sell it on long term though?
It's exactly this - you will only get a "deal" on a car like this

For example my 540i although looking good was higher miles (115k), 11 years old and had huge bork potential
My brothers Fiesta was 3 years old, 3k miles, ex-motability, that snot green/yellow colour they did and didn't have a straight pannel on it (first car so somewhat intentional)

Also remember that places like BCA actively dissuade you from buying there as a private buyer, the final value fees are punitive, what sounds like a good price under the hammer often isn't if you factor these in!