car auction - mechanic help?

I know nothing about cars (apart from how to drive one) and I want to buy from my local car auction, spending about 5k.

Is there a service where I can pay to have a mechanic to go with me to the auction to check over the car first, to make sure I don't buy a complete lemon or pay waaaay over the odd for it?

Comments

  • Harveycat_2
    Harveycat_2 Posts: 1,702 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    The AA do vehicle checks but I'm not sure if they do this at auctions.

    http://www.theaa.com/motoring-advice/vehicle-inspections.html

    Alternatively I'd just be cheeky and next time you see an AA breakdown van ask the bloke if he can put you on to anybody.
  • lollol
    lollol Posts: 420 Forumite
    Thanks for posting this. I am looking for the same actually. I really want to buy a car in the next couple of weeks. Need a mechanic who is able to accompany me to a Manheim auction.

    I am in London. Hope someone will be able to give us more suggestions hey
  • Premier_2
    Premier_2 Posts: 15,141 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    You won't usually get much chance for anyone to inspect a car going through auction.

    Mosts auction sites now keep their cars locked, only unlocking them when the driver gets to them to drive them through the auction. Here, they'll usually raise the bonnet for you so that you can have a 10 second look at the engine, perhaps remove the oil cap/check dipstick, and they'll usually rev the engine on request to see what if any smoke is emitted from the exhaust.

    That's about the limit of any inspection possible at auction.

    Cars may appear cheaper at auction, but that's because the punter buys at risk.

    You are free to take a mechanic along with you to an auction, but with such limited time available to inspect the vehicle, I doubt anyone would be prepared to underwrite the condition of any vehicle you decide to purchase.
    "Now to trolling as a concept. .... Personally, I've always found it a little sad that people choose to spend such a large proportion of their lives in this way but they do, and we have to deal with it." - MSE Forum Manager 6th July 2010
  • dobbie82
    dobbie82 Posts: 321 Forumite
    You cant usually check before buying. Cars under 1k are usually sold as seen For 5k though you usually get one hour from the fall of the hammer to return a car with a major problem. (I.e driveshaft hanging off, brake calipers seized etc) so may be worth taking a mechanic.

    But if the problem is stated in the auctioneers babble, you cant return it. And its very hard to understand the auctioneer til you get used to it.
  • Nile
    Nile Posts: 14,850 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Hello longbaygirl

    I'll move your thread to the 'Motoring & Public Transport' board.

    Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

    Regards

    Nile
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the 'I wanna' and 'In my home' and Health & Beauty'' boards.If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.10 Dec 2007 - Led Zeppelin - I was there. :j :cool2: I wear my 50 (gold/red/white) blood donations pin badge with pride. Give blood, save a life.
  • nomoneytoday
    nomoneytoday Posts: 4,871 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Cars are cheaper at auction because there is:

    No warranty after the day
    They are used to get rid of unwanted / unshifted stock
    Issues don't have to be advised to sellers
    Cosmetic marks and valeting gets done on a forecourt
    Car dealers earn a living too
  • nullogik
    nullogik Posts: 467 Forumite
    To avoid paying way over the odds, you should do your homework by identifing what particular makes and models you are after. Have a look on Autotrader, Loot, EBay to see what similar cars on there are going for. There are some guides like Parkers and What Car which you can buy that will give you a rough indication of what you should pay. If you can get hold of a copy of dealer-only Glasses or CAP guide then thats even better.

    Also, go along to a couple of auctions before you actually want to buy...don't take any money with you to prevent yourself from making an impulse purchase! Make notes of what prices cars are going for and that way you'll know roughly what you need to pay when you are ready to buy.
    Lack of money is the root of all evil.
    George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)
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