Buying a car at auction is extremely appealing as it can save you thousands of pounds off forecourt prices, depending on the make, model and its age.
The main reason for buying at an auction is that you can purchase a car for a lot less than if you bought it off a dealer’s forecourt, especially given the recent rise in used car prices.
The reason you can save money is you have to do a reasonable amount of legwork yourself before getting to the auction and there could be plenty of pitfalls for the unwary to fall into however, with the assistance of a professional car buyer these pitfalls are few.
What kind of cars are sold at
auctions?
The popular perception of a car auction is a draughty hangar with dodgy geezers clad in sheepskin coats bidding on vehicles that others can’t sell. Auctions like that no longer exist, the large auction houses trade in stock from leasing companies, fleets and banks and even vehicle manufacturers selling direct into the trade. You will also find well-known car dealer groups selling the cars they take in part-exchange.
Check before you buy
Most cars that go through the auction process are available to inspect, and will be unlocked at a certain point to allow prospective buyers to look over them inside and out.
The largest auction group BCA, still haven’t welcomed back traders to their halls so all information is available online including detailed cosmetic and mechanical reports. As a professional car buyer we can digest these reports and offer advice on the suitability of a vehicle and its prospective purchase price.
Bidding and buying
To bid you must register first. You’ll either be given a card to hold up or you’ll need to raise your hand. Try to make eye contact with the auctioneer so you know they know you’re bidding. If your bid’s successful, the auctioneer will bang his gavel.
Once you’ve bought a car, assuming it’s got a valid MOT and you can get it insured and taxed, you’re free to drive off. Alternatively, you can arrange to have it delivered for a fee.
Inexperienced buyer beware!
When you buy a car at auction you don’t have the same consumer laws protecting you as when you buy from a dealer, or even from a
private seller. Details in the descriptions are rudimentary and auction houses are under no obligations to fix a car with faults.
Chances are, you also don’t know the car’s history; it may be a lemon with numerous defects that a dealer has given up on so there’s an element of risk to buying at auction.
The skill comes in doing your best to minimise this, alternatively let us take out the guess work out of buying the right car and use our 20 years of motor trade experience to find you an absolute belter!
Here at Car Auction Buying Service, we’re dedicated to finding the very best deal for you by working with our extensive list of auction partners and trade contacts. To find out more or to inquire about buying your next vehicle from a nationwide or local auction, please give us a call on 07999 728009. Alternatively, you can fill out our online form.
