Discussion
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.
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.
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
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
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 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

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