Buying from Blackbush Car Auction

Shermanator

Hi all

I am after a SAAB 93 150 Diesel and was thinking about taking a trip to Blackbush as they seem to have a few there. The problem is, there is no indication on price what they have gone for in the past. I appreciate that this can differ a lot, but not sure whether it is worth the trip (approx 1hr)

Anyone have any experience buying from there?

:beer:

shown73

I've always found that they go for trade price, or else are not sold. It's not a true auction, where lots are simply sold to the highest bidder, apart maybe from the real bangers. That's just my own observation and opinion, so I expect to be shot down, but I've been there lots of times over quite a few years. I would definitely suggest that you go once at least just to watch and learn. It's a fascinating day out, there's a decent cafe, and an hour is not so far away.

Shermanator

Thanks for replying.
Sounds to me that it is worth a look then, you saying that they go for trade price or not at all. I assume that the traders stop bidding when there is not enough margin in it, whereas for me, I will be onto a winner :j
The only thing I can't see on there website are the buying fees...that could change things somewhat !

harveybobbles

Traders will stop bidding when they stop. We dont just bid to its trade value. If its something tastey then it will go for loads over book price. Also it depends on supply.

As ever with them !!!!!! Saab 93 diesels, I'm not bothering commenting on them now...

Shermanator

"As ever with them !!!!!! Saab 93 diesels, I'm not bothering commenting on them now... "
Whats that all about??

Also, just a thought on the whole margin thing, thinking out loud that's all. Thought I was onto a winner then, you certainly shot that down.

harveybobbles

I've stopped buying them. Yes they offer great value for money, as you couldnt buy an Audi a4/BMW 3 Series diesel with the same spec for Saab money. But you might aswell buy the Audi/BMW as you will spend just as much putting the saab right.

In all fairness, its the 150 Saabs/Vauxhalls/Fiats/Alfa's that are the problem! The 120's aint as bad...

Not sure what the fees are for a private buyer - but they are displayed quite well. On something like a 5000 car I'd pay about £180 in fees. Plau another £35 for Live On Line fee.

Shermanator

Interesting, thanks Harvey...

Do you buy from Blackbush? Does it get really busy there?

harveybobbles

Never been there, but buy from their Live Online Sales.

Shermanator

Ah I see, is there any way that you can give me an indication of what they go for (SAAB 93 150's approx 55 plate and up)?

Cheeky I know, but if you don't ask and all that :-)

JQ.

Before you go you can phone up their call centre and ask for the guide prices - they generally will only give out 2 per phone call. When we bought ours, the guide prices were very close to the eventual sale price.

ukjoel

Been a few times and bought from there as well.

I think the commission on top of a sale to a private punter worked out as about 5% or 6% on top of the hammer price.

It does get very busy and you cant see inside the cars.
They are parked up in rows of 40 or so and maybe 20 or 30 rows like that.

They get started up driven in and you get maybe 30 seconds to evaluate it, while its moving before making a decision. You wont always get two keys so may need to factor in that to the price as well.

There are some good clean examples from lease companies but they go for top money. My view was that prices generally were not any cheaper than ebay for same spec milage age condition cars.

You also need to factor the cars at auction are not taxed, so unless you have a trailer you cant drive away on the day. If you leave it there they hit you for storage etc.