Hi all. I'm planning to buy a car from the auctions soon and as I have no experience with them whatsoever, I was hoping that someone on here may be able to give me some general advice. I have read what's on this site about auctions, but there's still some things I'm not too sure on.
The car I'm looking for is a Golf 2.0 GT TDi 5 door under 2 years old with under 20k miles on the clock, do these cars come up very often and how much do they tend to go for? Also do many of them have sat-nav, as I'd like to find one that has it.
I've heard from friends that it's difficult to buy new-ish cars from the auction as traders want them all and the auctioneers help them, does this happen and how can I get round it?
This is, perhaps, obvious but how can I make sure the auctioneer has seen me bid?
Is there any time to check the car over before bidding begins and what are the best things to check on the aforementioned Golf?
Also, is there anything else I should know about?
Any help is much appreciated!
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I would suggest you go to an auction and observe. I am not in the motor trade, but in my workplace the nearest there is to a fleet manager. I sold a car last week at auction, as it was on the bank holiday I went along to see the process. There were plenty of staff around and they were able to explain the process, advise where to be to be seen, etc. I would imagine you'd need to consider the simple practicalties like insurance & if required taxing the car - I sold my own car 3 months ago at action (a few days prior to the tax expiring) and the buyer must have taxed it online as I received the new tax disc in the post a few days later!!
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I strongly recommend you use the services of Joe Dowd - he's fees are reasonable and after taking into account the reduction you get on buyers premium by using him, it only really costs you a hundred quid or so.
He's a thoroughly decent chap, knows the auctions inside out, and is well worth contacting.
He was going to bid on a car for me on Friday which, with my top bid, I'd almost certainly have won. But he told me he wasn't comfortable with the car and that it really didn't seem like a nice example. By doing this, it meant he didnt buy the car and thus didn't get paid - seriously impressed, he is clearly a bloke who puts customer satisfaction above pure profit.
www.auctioncarbuyer.co.uk
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By all means go and buy a £500 banger at auction without experience, but please use Joe if you are spending that kind of money. His fee will be worth it, I promise you.
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I think you're being a little too specific in your requirements unless you want to waste days running around the country standing in cold auction halls eating iffy bacon sarnies. You'll certainly find such a car, but maybe only one in a given auction and then waste a whole day travelling to the end of the country only to find it's a dog or some mad private punter bids it up to over what you'd pay at a VW dealer.
You're better off either using an auciton buyer as suggested or widening your requirements to just a "5-door diesel hatchback" in which case you'll probably find something suitable at most large sales. Don't forget the buyers premium which can be nearly 5% without an account.
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the auctioneer will see the colour of your eyes and nail you to the rostrum ,dont do it as said you need help ,i see people paying silly money every week when they get carried away or they end up buying lemons that have been doing the auction rounds (usual giveaway lots of sticky bits in windscreens or old information sheets rammed under the seats.)..........keep to dentistry or whatever you do and go to a dealer or seek proffesional help in purchasing
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The chances of a straight motor of that description appearing at auction are pretty slim ,nobody is going to auction a car that flies of the pitch and likewise lease companies will have buyers lined up for them.
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Maybe in this particular case the auction is not the best option but on a more general note I have found them great places to buy a car. I used to be a regular at Westbury some years ago and yes you do have to be careful but there are some good deals to be had. There's nothing to beat that nice feeling of saving some money. You need to know your prices well and make sure you don't get carried away. And if you are unlucky and get a dog then you can aways put it back through the next week, accepting that you will lose a bit of money. Certainly if I was looking for a 2K to 3k banger then I would go to auction.
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