Motor auctions

[pompei]

The Saab is going to have to go - needs loads of work and MoT is up in January. It'll cost me way more to put it right than it's worth.

 

It was suggested on here that I send it to the auctions - anyone have any experience of this? Anything to look out for in selling a car? Any auction houses recommended and any to avoid?

[dollywobbler]

I've only sold one car at auction. It was just the job really. I needed the car gone ASAP minimum hassle. Took it to the auction house, handed over paperwork and keys, couldn't attend the sale so a friend relayed the events to me and then it was just a matter of waiting for the cheque. It sold for slightly less than reserve, but the auction house sold at their discretion, which is fair enough as they knew I wanted it shifting.

 

I wouldn't expect you to get much for the Saab though and it's entirely possible that it'd sell for less than scrap value, which is the other avenue.

[R9UKE]

I buy nearly all my shite from auction. The one by me gets the main dealer trade ins, plus I used to work there and have contacts

 

Just watch out for the fees. I bought a Citroen C5 for £200 a few months back. The seller got a cheque for £140 back - they would've been much better off scrapping the thing. Always ask what the final amount you'll receive is before agreeing to whatever price it made in the auction.

 

Other than that, usual stuff. Nice clean car but not obviously tarted up with headache inducing dash shine and a million magic trees.

[wackywacerwill]

I weighed in a Corsa on Saturday and it was down to 100 per ton so the auction route starts to look more appealing. Doubt anyone would have bidded up a stripped Corsa shell mind and it made a useful bucket for all the other crap lying about.

[Junkman]

Who here doesn't have a car that'll cost more to put right than it's worth?

[pompei]

Thanks for the replies. As for its value, that's really not the issue. It's more a case that the cost of repairs could buy something good

[Junkman]

I made that mistake many times. I learned from it. I now rather fix what I have.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Depends on what it's worth. If it's worth £600 on a good day, stick it on t'bay. Auctions will rape you on fees with Mannnnheim and BCA being absolute robbers. A small local auction house might be better.

[AeroNautiCal]

One issue with buying at auctions is that the buyer may have no comeback when the vehicle is deliberately misrepresented.

 

My friend bought a VW van at a BCA auction which was described as having a faulty driver's window, which was true, but it was the seized gearbox that really bothered him.

 

BCA simply pointed to their 'Sold as Seen' T&C, so he took them to the small claims court, and lost.

 

The Judge decided that even though the vehicle was clearly misrepresented, the auction house was not liable due to their inclusion of the 'Sold as Seen' T&C!

 

The BCA barrister said that he went to quite a few cases of this type and BCA had yet to lose one!

[Cavcraft]

One issue with buying at auctions is that the buyer may have no comeback when the vehicle is deliberately misrepresented.

 

My friend bought a VW van at a BCA auction which was described as having a faulty driver's window, which was true, but it was the seized gearbox that really bothered him.

 

BCA simply pointed to their 'Sold as Seen' T&C, so he took them to the small claims court, and lost.

 

The Judge decided that even though the vehicle was clearly misrepresented, the auction house was not liable due to their inclusion of the 'Sold as Seen' T&C!

 

The BCA barrister said that he went to quite a few cases of this type and BCA had yet to lose one!

 

No offence me old china, but anyone buying a car from an auction and expecting a warranty (a proper one that is) must be at least a bit slow. Auctions are cheap because they're a gamble and you don't get a warranty. Prees Heath (and some others) offer (or certainly used to offer) a one hour warranty on major components but it's not all sales and not all vehicles. Also, I'm reliably told, most auction houses will do everything they can to wriggle out of claims. Even then to be fair to them they don't actually own most of the stock, they're just middle men.

We had one or two who tried to sue the auction house I work for (years back now) and despite all screens displaying 'sold on a trade basis, no comebacks, or words to that effect the odd one would still try it on. They never got anywhere and seemed to think they were special cases who didn't have to read or follow any 'rules'.