[....,,,,..,,..]

I used to regularly buy cars from auctions p, this was when finance deals where terrible or non existent and I was in to serial car owning, actually parallel car owning lol.

Not been to one for a few years, however I did pick up some amazing deals and made money on some even after 12 months.

Ex police cars where a great buy (ignoring holes in the dash lol).

Just been checking out BCA site and BMW Group.

http://www.british-car-auctions.co.u...es-of-auction/

BMW due auction (sourced from Leaseplsn).

http://www.british-car-auctions.co.u...e_15012016.pdf

http://www.british-car-auctions.co.u...t_12012016.pdf


Anyone else been through the fun of buying from auctions?

[jusdorange]

How does it work ?

How long do you get to inspect the car?

I'm assuming test drives don't happen?

If it turns out you bought a lemon you stuffed ?

[Rukka]

I did it for a while about 25 years ago. I started buying just for me but where I worked many people saw the motors I was buying and made me offers on them. I just made sure they were mechanically good (I'm ex engineer) and sold them on for a small profit.

I used this to trade up my own car but got that many requests from people that I ended up registering and running a small business for a few years.

Didn't actually make much money lol but me and the ex Mrs drove some nice motors.

I love the buzz of the auctions and sometime bought just for the sake of it.

Remember once buying an old (S plate I think) BMW 316 - one owner from new and absolutely immaculate. Had done 110k miles and I got it for £160!! Ended up selling it on for £500 after just washing it and driving it for 2 weeks.

Still get the urge occasionally now to just get something to tinker with then pass on

[xenon]

Originally Posted by jusdorange

How does it work ?

How long do you get to inspect the car?

I'm assuming test drives don't happen?

If it turns out you bought a lemon you stuffed ?

You can inspect the cars for about an hour before the auction starts

No test drives but you are entitled to reject the car if there is an obvious serious defect.

[Rukka]

Originally Posted by xenon

You can inspect the cars for about an hour before the auction starts

No test drives but you are entitled to reject the car if there is an obvious serious defect.

Depends on the auction terms - some are sold "all good" and others sold "as is" - so no rejection on the latter if there turns out to be a problem. This tends to be on the lower end of the market though.

[NISFAN]

I thought about it a couple of years ago, just to dabble with some spare cash. Went to a few of the lease auctions but was staggered by how much dealers were paying for cars. Some cars were going for more than similar cars in the Autotrader once you factor all the costs in, and yet no test drives. What gets you when going to a BCA fleet auction is the the smell of fresh auto paint. Does make you a little nervous.

[Rukka]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

What gets you when going to a BCA fleet auction is the the smell of fresh auto paint. Does make you a little nervous.

Haha - yeah - I remember that smell too

[....,,,,..,,..]

I used to go regularly with a few mates.

We always took one really geeky mechanic with us, it only cost a cup of bovril and a pie or similar.

We went through a really silly phase of buying big Jaguars, then Senators, Volvo V70 T5's, BMW's etc.

Only ever bought 'big' cars with 'big engines' for that MD look lol.

There were onsite inspection services available, not sure how things are these days.

It was almost a rite of passage at the time.

[EvilDrPorkChop]

A lot of the ex BMW stock from BMW goes to these lot - https://www.manheim.co.uk/products-a...es/remarketing

It's where a lot of the dealers buy their Approved Used Stock from.

[Watsey]

Back in 2002 I asked the fleet administrator to let me know when my E46 330D company car was going to be returned to the lease provider - I'd left the company but it was a great spec car. She did call me, but let me know that my idiot successor had put £7K of damage on the front end of it. Would have been a great buy apart from that.

[rjwojcik]

Have bought a few, never made any money out of it. First couple of times I went I was so, so nervous about catching the auctioneers eye or even scratching my nose, in case I bought something.

[asif03]

Been a few times and purchased a couple of cars. It was simply to see if I could make a bit of money on them. This was back in 2008/2009 if I remember correctly. Actually got my first car from an auction. Had an o2 sensor fault which was a quick fix. Made a bit of money on that. Then got another which I drove for a few months and also made a bit of money on.

My current 07 reg Megane was bought from BCA in Measham in 2009. Apart from a window regulator it's not stepped a foot wrong in the years it's been in my possession. Well, until very recently. As I count the weeks down to collecting my F32 it seems to be jealous or something? Noticed the coolant was empty just this week. Not overheated or anything. Just seen the empty tank when I went to top up the washer fluid. Topped the coolant up and two days later its a touch lower than where I filled it up to. Not seeing any puddles under the car so i'm not quite sure what's wrong. Shall be getting it checked out this coming week but I'm tempted to just keep topping it up with coolant until the new motor is here in 7 weeks. Not sure if it'll die on me before then though?

Anyhow, back on topic, overall I've had a pretty decent experience with auctions. I'd definitely recommend them to those that may be looking for a second hand motor at a possible reduced price. I'd advise taking someone clued up a little with you though as you can end up losing money if you don't quite know what you're looking for.

[Broncho]

I spent an awful lot of my childhood at BCA and Manheim auctions and worked in the car trade when I first started out, good luck to anybody buying from auction, you'll need it