Anyone with Experience of Manheim Auctions?

efunc

I'm shopping for a used car for myself, an Audi TT, and yes, I'm an inexperienced private buyer!

I'm hoping to visit a Manheim auction and have opened an account but won't have the luxury of visiting a few dummy auctions in advance because my ones coming up right away. Has Manheim Remarketing just rebranded as Manheim BTW? I joined the site last month but now my login doesn't work and I was redirected to the new Manheim site and had to open a new account.

Anyway, what fees am I likely to expect to pay on top of the hammer price? VAT, buyers fee? They mention something about an extra £20 for Assured Inspection. I can't find info on what the buyer's fee is, anyone know? Also, what is the cheapest way to pay? (bidding could go to £7k)

Finally, the car I'm looking at has only been serviced 3 times in 9 years(!) and the vendor is Money 4 Your Motors LTD. Are either of these things major warning flags?

loskie

why not ask Manheim? Fees for private buyers tend to be high

If a complete novice this type of service may benefit you. The fees too may be less.

efunc

What type of service?

(I tried to call Manheim this morning, but they're closed. Won't have much time on Monday. Gone through the buying guide on their website too, but it's sparse on actual details)

BeenThroughItAll

Are you mad?

Inexperienced private buyer + auction + badly serviced car sold quick for cash to WBAC's crappier cousin = disaster.

I await the 'bought a shed at auction, what right to compo do I have' thread.

loskie

http://auctionbuyerservices.co.uk/

this kind.
And dont bank on getting this car on Monday There are plenty of tts for sale at auction and privately. Private purchase may well be better.

efunc

Thank you, that's great info, will investigate it tomorrow. Cheers

Nodding_Donkey

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

Are you mad?

Inexperienced private buyer + auction + badly serviced car sold quick for cash to WBAC's crappier cousin = disaster.

I await the 'bought a shed at auction, what right to compo do I have' thread.

This with bells on

loskie

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=used-cars&M=1030&MaxPrice=7000&Page=1&YearFrom=2005

DKLS

I would go along a couple of times to suss out the auction room, our local mannheim auctioneer is very difficult to follow, he speaks very fast and not clearly so following bids is a challenge.

Plus he isn't averse to bouncing bids off the wall and inventing bidders who don't exist.

Or alternatively look up one of the TT forums and see if there are any for sale or post and ask for a recommendation.

efunc

Thanks for the advice DKLS. The auction is 80 miles away and I work all hours and don't currently have a car, so tricky visiting the place, however the online details and search is very interesting. The http://auctionbuyerservices.co.uk/ link above is very interesting too, and I might look at this approach more seriously, in fact I already am.

The fact is I've been been on the TT forum for about 5 years. I've researched them thoroughly, been searching all the usual places for several months, but have found very little suitable in my price range. Most of them are manual, which I don't want, and the most popular colour is silver, which I can't stand. The auction may be the last bet, but will see. I'm in no rush really, which is the best position to be in..

Mini_Bear

I have bought all my cars at Manheim since I was 17 (3 cars in 12 years). The cash I saved buying at auction I kept aside in case of any surprise bills. And guess what, I've had nothing wrong. I've bought super high mileage and low mileage, small cars and large.
Providing there is enough of a discount I would say go for it.
How are you planning to get the vehicle home? Typically they are sold without MOT/tax etc. I get mine delivered on trade plates for a fee. As you are 80 miles away this may be steep and a delay.
From memory the fees on that value car will be around £300.
Good luck OP and don't get caught up and pay too much!!