to avoid the mistakes I made....
Shine a torch under the engine amd power steering rack looking for leaks.
Try to gauge whether the paint is fading, red is the worst, often fades worse on the metalwork than the bumpers so you'll see the contrast.
Motability cars tend to be base models (with a few extras) of less glamorous models e.g. Astra, Almera Tino, and fewer diesels than average. Look in glovebox and you should find records of accident repairs etc.
Try the aircon.
|
|
|
|
To Horatio's words I'd add...set yourself a realistic "target" and your "top" price for *that car* before the bidding begins. It is all too easy to get carried away and pay more than you want to or more than it is worth. Or, as I have done, to lose out on a car because you are trying to get too much of a bargain. (I recently missed a Vectra 3.2 Elite, 2 years old 35k which I let go at £7000 when I really would have been happy to pay £7.5k).
|
>>I note your first choice, possibly a Laguna diesel, up to 3 >>years old.
>>A very troublesome car, (see car by car breakdown;
>>www.honestjohn.co.uk/index.php?url=/carbycar/index...m
>>Chances are, one of these is being unloaded at auction by a >>dealer who will be glad to see the back of it.
Unfortunately not 'Cobblers' as previously stated but an extremely accurate description of the abomination that was leashed upon an unsuspecting public...
Quite why anyone would even consider buying into one of these vipers nests of potential aggro is beyond me when other far superior vehicles are available for similar outlay.
As a firmly established motor trader, I know that if presented with one of these 'things' in a p/x transaction, it will immediately be dispatched to the block, such is my reluctance to risk my reputation by actually retailing....
|
Interesting that many years ago (the 1980's to be precise) my father, who was a decades-long established repairer/trader, got to the point where he would having nothing to do with a Renault car. Not sell them, service them or even MoT them! This was based on his experiences over the years - basically more trouble than they were worth.
I'll grant that Renault have improved greatly in recent years - but I do know that they are still generally unloved by the retail trade and trade-in values can be very low at anywhere other than a Renault dealer.
|
|
|
|
Look under bonnet for any signs of damage neglect.
My local auction keeps the bonnets shut for the duration of the sale. Having said that if you can have a look underneath check the oil and coolant caps for white gunge - it's a sign the head gasket has gone.
Also check the oil and brake fluid levels - if they're low there might be leaks.
In any case check the exhaust for THICK white smoke - it means the engine's burnig oil and due for an overhaul / replacement.
Also look at the front tyres for uneven wear (worn steering/suspension components, etc).
And only bid on the cars that the dealers are bidding for, you can usually spot them as they'll have stock lists.
As soon as you've bought the car put it through an MOT test. This will tell you whether its safe and the emissions test will give an indication of the engine's condition. If it needs a fortune spent on it then cut your losses and put it back in the auction!
One final piece of advice, it's not unknown for cars to have a quick engine swap before an auction. If a car doesn't have a full V5 then forget it unless it's sold as mechanically sound with a (1 hour) warranty.
|
|
An engine burning oil will produce blue smoke. White smoke often means the head gasket is kippered.
|
Thanks for your feedback and advice guys. I would also like to consider getting a car from ebay but there never seems to be any for sale in Scotland!
I fully expect to start attending auctions in two weeks time and certainly taking no means of payment with me for a good few weeks!
I just wonder if I could hand money over for a car that I had not driven! Mmm...
|
Bobby,
As luck would have it, just been to two auctions tonight with a mate looking for a new car. First one I've ever been to and I was surprised as to how fast paced it was.
I was reluctant to scratch my nose because the auctioneer seemed to take the slightest nods of heads as a sign to go up a hundred quid.
Some dodgy cars (one had a crime number written on) and another had "No log book - original colour, Grey" when it was a blue car!
However, 500 quid for an X plate 406 with 70k on ain't too bad at all.
I was so impressed, I'm going again next week!
The sausage rolls and cups of tea provided were second to none too!
|
The sausage rolls and cups of tea provided were second to none too!
Yes Auctions generally do have a good standard of grub available!
|
|
|
Well Adam if nothing else then I will get a good feed!
I just find it hard to ignore the prices that these cars are going for. Some of the ones I have seen have "Correct Mileages", full service histories , printouts of these, V5 present and have came direct from leasing companies. Yes I know some of these will be dogs, and sods law, that will be the one I would end up with! For examples
Make Model Body Year MOT Miles £
RENAULT LAGUNA X74 PRIVILEGE DCI (120B - 1870CC 5dr H/Back Dec 2004 (54) None 9,383 8600
RENAULT LAGUNA X74 DYNAMIQUE 16V (135B - 1998CC 5dr H/Back Jul 2003 (03) None 23,818 5325
RENAULT LAGUNA 1.8 DYNAMIQUE 16V 5dr Hatchback Jan 2003 (52) None 31,877 5000
RENAULT LAGUNA X74 EXPRESSION 16V - 1783CC 5dr Estate Oct 2002 (52) None 54,290 4350
RENAULT LAGUNA X74 EXPRESSION 16V - 1783CC 5dr Estate Oct 2002 (52) None 54,290 3950
RENAULT LAGUNA 1.8AUTHENTIQUE 16V - 1783CC 5dr Hatchback Sep 2002 (52) Sep 2006 48,143 4325
RENAULT LAGUNA X74 DYNAMIQUE 16V -1.8C 5dr Hatchback Aug 2002 (02) Aug 2006 55,386 3750
RENAULT LAGUNA X74 EXPRESSION 16V -2.0 5dr Hatchback Aug 2002 (02) Aug 2006 58,037 3750
RENAULT LAGUNA 1.9 PRIVILEGE DCI 5dr Estate Apr 2002 (02) Apr 2006 81,078 4200
RENAULT LAGUNA X74 PRIVILEGE 16V - 1783CC 5dr H/Back Mar 2002 (02) None 29,934 4900
RENAULT LAGUNA 1.9 AUTHENTIQUE DCI 5dr Hatchback Nov 2001 (51) Oct 2006 106,105 2000
RENAULT LAGUNA X74 EXPRESSION 16V - 1598CC 5dr Hatchback Nov 2001 (51) Nov 2005 38,621 4000
RENAULT LAGUNA DYNAMIQUE 1.9 DCI 120B 5dr Hatchback Sep 2001 (51) Sep 2006 57,880 4200
Once I have a bit more time, I am going to do some serious research in price comparison with actual cars in the auction vs ebay vs backstreet garages vs main dealers.
Well I need to find something to occupy my time!
|
Another point to be aware of at auction.
The auctioneer can sometimes be a great actor and shouts 'SOLD' with a great flourish.
In fact the car may not sold at all.This especially happens with 'difficult to shift cars'. This keeps the 'selling' pace up at auction and hopes to make an unwary buyer step in.
Also to repeat my advice, don't touch a Laguna diesel at any price, thats if you want to avoid grief?
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks for your feedback and advice guys. I would also like to consider getting a car from ebay but there never seems to be any for sale in Scotland!
Try the autotrader website, there's a link to it from the HJ front page. You type in your postcode and how many miles your willing to travel so it doesn't find cars too far away.
|
Yeah Chris I have used that as well. Problem is you either pay top notch dealer prices, or back street garage or private deals that you really have no proof (in most cases but not all) of mileage, service history etc.
I will check out all avenues though...
|
Never go to an auction after a specific car or colour.
i always go with a maximum budget - and lok for the best bargain going through the ring.
obviously if u really fancy something - then stick the wipers up on the front - tends to put other buyers off.
i know they arent great- but some unbeleivable prices on rovers at the mo (bound to continue)>
also high mileage base ford Ka's seem to have hit the floor.
anything with a daewoo badge can be picked up for pocket money.
|
|
Keep wondering when someones going to use the M word (+tdci) don't want it to be me again.
|
|
If you can possibly afford it try to go for a car that still has some new car warranty left. That takes a lot of the risk out of it.
|
"If you can possibly afford it try to go for a car that still has some new car warranty left. That takes a lot of the risk out of it"
But if you're going to do this, ask before the sale (on the phone maybe day before) to get the exact service history, to be sure it is within warranty. If no joy ask the rostrum before bidding commences exactly how many stamps it has, and make sure you know how many stamps it should have based on age / mileage.
|
|
did they make a Montego with a TDCI engine?
|
Well I finally got round to going to my first auction today, in Livingston. It was a fleet auction with cars from Motability, Lombard, Bank of Scotland etc. If anyone is interested, I will post some sample prices later.
However, I was amazed at how "relaxed" it all was. All the cars were in the one hall, all were open with keys in the ignition. I could sit in and start the engine, try out every electrical item, check for spare wheels, check under the bonnet etc. I got a catalogue listing which gave all details of each car although I noticed that the traders had the same listing but with CAP prices shown on it. I must make sure that I look like a dealer next time!
I am going to another fleet auction tomorrow but the more I see, and the prices I hear, I cant help but think my next car will be from one of these fleet type auctions. It was reassuring to see a couple of the big Car Retailers represented ( they were wearing their company jackets) and they were buying up these cars as well, especially the Motability ones. Knowing that the same car would be on a forecourt soon with several hundred, if not a grand, extra on the price!
For the Motability, there was a representative from them there on the podium with the auctioneer, and any Provisional prices were able to be sorted out there and then with him, presumably a bit more haggling would get you the car.
Don't know what happens if it is a Provisional for one of the fleet companies, at what point do you find out if your bid has been accepted?
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. At first glance, I would say trade like all things Ford, the new Astra, but not keen on Picassos!
|
HJ, that was a real eye opener - struggling to find a car within £1k of the Cargiant price, some are as much as £2.5k cheaper. Don't know if there is negotiating available at cargiant but that is a helluva price for 6 months warranty!
eg
Scenic Fidji 1.4 52reg 20k miles
auction - £4480, Cargiant £6499
Fiesta 1.4 Ghia, 52 reg, 31k miles
auction £4400, Cargiant £5999 for 23k miles
Astra 1.6 Envoy 52 reg 1.6 Auto 30k miles
auction £3310, Cargiant £4699
Focus 1.6 Zetec 52 Reg 23k miles
auction £4530, cargiant £5599 for 35k miles
As you can see, due to there being a lot of Motability cars, there weren't a lot of diesels, especially in the models I was looking for, but still an eye opener to prices!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
