looking for an exfleet bargain

Kevin_1973

Can anyone advise on reputable companies to buy an ex fleet / contract hire car. My understanding is that there are companies who have access to these before they go to auction.

I have read the horror stories about autoquake (apart from the autoquake employeess who looked on to post one or two positive posts to take the bad look off it)

Appreciate any info. Looking for a two or three year old A4.

harveybobbles

Most ex fleet stuff gets sold via auction. Yes some companies will allow their driver to buy the car at the end, but they will want mega bucks for it.

Kevin_1973

Thanks for the reply. Companies like carsite and autoquake claim to get their stock direct from the finance companies as opposed to going straight to auction. So is it best to ignor these guys and just go straight to the auction houses myself to grab a bargain. I figure if a car with a clean service history coming off its two or three year contract should be in good nick when handed back to finance / hire company.

ukjoel

Agree with previous post.
If you have a look at the BCA (Brtitish Car Auctions) website you can see the nearest site to you and also what cars they are auctioning off this week.
You will see cars from all the major contract hire and leasing companies as well as motability there.

I would suggest going a couple of times before you buy to have a look around. In my experience prices at the moment are strong as used car stock is thin on the ground.

You will often find a better price on ebay or the classifieds - advantage here is you can give the car a proper going over and take it for a test drive as well.

harveybobbles

Autoquake type places don't actually own any of their cars. they "hold" them at their sites and try to sell them for the leasing company.

hewhoisnotintheknow

get an a4 thats had its cambelt changed and the water pump replaced with something other than the standard vag plastic stuff!

Kevin_1973

Thanks guys. Interesting point that autoquake are a "holding" company. The impression they give is that they buy these cars in bulk negotiating a stronger discount due to the numbers purchased. They are really just kind of agents for the leasing companies.

harveybobbles

Thats how lots of outfits like that operate. They have no workshop. All they do is put the car thru an MOT, regardless of if it needs one.

I often buy cars from Lloyds TSB Autolease, some of their stuff have "Blackhorse Car Sales" numberplates on and have two overlapping MOT's. They have a go at selling them from their site in B'ham - most of them fail to sell as they leave them fresh from contract with all manner of things wrong with them.

emmell

JCT600 contracts sell ex contract cars direct, they list them on their website and there is a tel. no. to ring to enquire about cars. I've never bought one but I have spoken to them, when my brother wanted a new taxi, and they were very helpful. I don't think they keep them on the website for long before they go to auction. They are based in West Yorkshire.
ML.

plane_boy2000

emmell wrote: »

JCT600 contracts sell ex contract cars direct, they list them on their website and there is a tel. no. to ring to enquire about cars. I've never bought one but I have spoken to them, when my brother wanted a new taxi, and they were very helpful. I don't think they keep them on the website for long before they go to auction. They are based in West Yorkshire.
ML.

All I can see on their website is a list of the dealerships they hold - no mention of ex fleet cars?

harveybobbles

JCT are well known for clocking!