Car Auctions

singingsister

You may have read my previous post about needing to get a new car. I'm quite interested in car auctions but am unsure how they work.

I'm also loathed to spend £50 "registration" if I don't see anything I like - especially as I need an automatic and don't have too much money to throw at it.

Can anyone explain the process to me - and any good auction sites to visit?

plane_boy2000

Basicaly you turn up - see a car and wave your hand when it drives through the hall!

Seriously though it is a litle daunting, but you can get a good deal. I bought from Auction a few years back and was really pleased.

Blackbush auctions are good - somewhere near reading IIRC lots of newish ex fleet stuff, and ford direct stuff.

Not familiar with the £50 bit you refer to - I just paid about £2 for a catalogue and looked around for something I liked and then bid when it went through.

You need to remeber that you have to pay for the car there and then though

Keith

Also remember there is a fee on top of the final price. This depends on the final price and is normally on a poster in the auction hall.

Always attend a few times before you buy, take a copy of the parkers guide with you or pick up a copy of the Glass's guide whilst there.

Set yourself a strict budget too.

Try googling British Car Auctions, there is no entry fee, however a catalogue of cars is available for £3 which lists every car for sale that day.

marlot

Its worth signing up for auctionview which lets you see which cars are coming up at each site - rather than travel and find nothing.

Or even better, use an auction buyer - they get trade price on auction fees so needn't cost very much. Do a search on a chap called Joe Dowd who's supposed to be very good (I haven't used him yet but know others who have).

singingsister

do you reckon I can get something small (fiesta size) - newish (say 2000 onwards - obviously the newer the better) automatic for about 2k?

wotcha think?

marlot

Keith - I'd always thought glasses guide was trade only? Is it easy to get a copy at the auction house? Thx.

marlot

Look here for some recent prices. Honest John is the chap who writes in the Telegraph motoring section on a Saturday.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/index.htm?news_id=3694

singingsister

thanks. BCA charges to "register" on their site and auction view asks for your account details to register for "free".

tali

been to many auctions and you'll get just as cheap a car looking thru the autotrader

Keith

singingsister wrote: »

do you reckon I can get something small (fiesta size) - newish (say 2000 onwards - obviously the newer the better) automatic for about 2k?

wotcha think?

2k should buy you a small hatchback, you need to go and see what is available that day, 2k will buy a lot of car at auction.

One thing you need to consider is that you may end up bidding against dealers, they know there is a certain market for small automatics and know they can charge a premium for them.

singingsister wrote: »

thanks. BCA charges to "register" on their site and auction view asks for your account details to register for "free".

You do not need to register to buy, you must have a deposit of £500 I think when the hammer drops, you can just turn up and bid.

marlot wrote: »

Keith - I'd always thought glasses guide was trade only? Is it easy to get a copy at the auction house? Thx.

The last few times I've visited BCA Enfield it has been onsale on a stand outside the auction hall.

marlot

singingsister wrote: »

thanks. BCA charges to "register" on their site and auction view asks for your account details to register for "free".

That's right - you have to pay to use auctionview if you're a regular joe like you and me. Still worth it for the fuel and time it saves.