Has Anyone Bought From A Car Auction??

Newbird

Has anyone any experience of buying from car auctions?...Not a car on eBay, an actual motor auction I mean.

Potential savings seem good against forecourt prices. Looking for a car now, and tempted to go to auction...

I mean a newish car, not a dodgy old banger.....

vansboy

Mods will shift this in a minute!!

But well worth checking http://www.honestjohn.co.uk clik his menu, on left box & you'll get lots hints n tips of auction buying.

As you're going for late registered stock, well worth looking for their 'branded' sections, within each sale.

Make sure you buy a 'direct' (from fleet) vehicle, to be as close as possible in getting a genuine car.

Give us an idea of what you fancy & I'll let you have more input!!

VB

rusty_3

always buy my cars from car auctions, normally get a bargain.
think about what type of car you want, look in paper and net to get idea of the price.
expect to save £1000 at least on garage price, unless its a car that lots of peeps want
lots of people buy high mileage cars there, i never do,
if u have a high mileage car who will buy it from u when u want to sell it?
go a few times to get idea of prices, and what cars going in the auction

N9eav

Bought several and generally done well, saved a packet too.

General tips.

Go to a big auction where lots of main garages and leasing firms sell their trade ins.
I generally choose a car that is being sold by a major garage, as it's less likely to be put in the auction because of a fault by a private seller.

Long MOT and service history are good.

Remember that there may be a commission charge on top and credit card charge.

Ted_Hutchinson

BCA Motability Car Auctions is where I bought my last car.
If you haven't been to auction before you really need to reccy the auction process first. Until you've been you won't believe how fast the auction proceeds so you really do have to have a clear idea of what you want to buy, how much you are prepared to pay and sufficient self-control not to get carried away.
Arm yourself with a price guide mostly the folk buying are dealers and they use Glasses guide. I've usually gone with the idea of buying a particular make/model and I've asked if there are several of that type being sold that day. That way I've worked out what the trade price is likely to be for that age/mileage.
You will have to pay a "Buyers premium" which is around £100-150 ish depending on the amount you are spending you may also decide (if the auction place is a distance away) to have it delivered BCA quotes for delivery were surprisingly reasonable £50ish for over 5Omls.
As you need to have paid and got the car taxed/insured before you drive it away (which inevitably means a return trip with someone to drive your current car home or gadge a lift) you may find this makes life easier.
I made sure I had the money in the current account and paid by Direct Debit but they do car finance there if needed. (probably cheaper elsewhere though)
Advantages of ex Motability over other lease sales is that many Motability drivers don't do the permitted mileage. Quite a few 3 yr olds with less than 15000mls. It's likely the mileage is warrented. Motability now pay a bonus to those who return cars in good condition so you may find one that's actually in showroom condition.
If your looking for Automatic then there are a higher percentage at Motability auctions than elsewhere.
You can subscribe to the BCA search facility to find out where/when your ideal car is being sold, however if you go with a fairly open mind to a sale which has several potential cars available then you will be able to be flexible if someone starts bidding silly money. The trade buyers never get carried away but newbies often do and I'm sure when the trade buyers see someone determined to make fools of themselves they edge the price up just for a laugh. Best not to show you are interested and only bid in the last few seconds. (but beware, bidding is fast and the auctioneer doesn't hang around)
Should also have said that the vast majority of Motability cars are 3 yrs old, though there can occasionally be one a bit older(where leasee has extended the lease). There are sometimes much younger cars available as well (where leasee has died or lost DLA)

Newbird

Thanks for all of the above...


Yep, I have seen the honestjohns site...Vansboy have PM'd you...

I am well clued up with the auction process, I'm a regular auction goer, but not yet bought an auction car... My local auction does not charge a buyers premium, just an indemnity fee based on the winning bid.

Thx for the tips and ideas re. paying and delivery Ted.

I can't get onto search the BCA site without joining, unless you know of a link?

Any more info/input very welcome...

ohreally

Newbird wrote:

My local auction does not charge a buyers premium, just an indemnity fee based on the winning bid.

Read the T&C's carefully regarding the indemnity. One of the auctions out our way (it will remain namless but it very big and attracts people from all over) only carry out the indemnity check on vehicles under 3 years old. They will only check the older vehicles if you specifically request then to do it...the sting?...they charge for it regardless.

If the vehicle requires repair work,are you capable of doing it yourself and do you have access to a workshop?

Newbird

Thx for that, useful to know, will check it out with my lot. I suppose as they don't charge a buyers premium they will charge for indemnity anyway on older vehicles, so where does that leave buyers if car is over 3 years old and not indemnity checked I wonder??

I have thought about any extra work that me be needed, and figured if I save enough on forecourt price, extra work would hopefully be covered by that. I'm checking all the price guides, so I know what's cool and what's not...Easier when you are looking for a specific car, which I am.

No I'm not capable of doing my own car repairs - but know a man who can...partner is a self emp.mechanic, can do bodywork etc. has workshop...