How to buy from auctions?

[DaveCWK]

Hi all,
I'm looking for new family car - In the past i've only really bought privately or on eBay, but private sales of 3-6 year old cars are really thin on the ground these days & I don't really want to pay a dealer a big margin for some tyre shine.

Does anyone know if it's possible to buy cars at the auctions where used car dealers source stock; or are there any particular ones that people would recommend?

Basically, wherever dealers source cars from at 'trade' prices, I want to do that. I assume auctions are the 2nd source behind trade-ins? I think I have enough knowledge of what to look for to ensure I buy a good car.

[DickyC]

Buying one car from BCA, for example, is possible but it is expensive. The fees are loaded against private buyers in favour of trade buyers who buy several cars at a time.

One of BCA's principle sources now is WBAC, which they own.

My advice would be to keep plugging away at a private purchase until you find what you want. They're not all crooks.

[Chris_91]

The days members of the public could buy from auction are long gone.

Ask around to see if anyone you know has a trade account. If you buy a car through them they will end up paying less fees overall so they might be inclined to do it.

[Mercdriver]

Do what the travellers do, ask driver to lift bonnet then ask him to rev it up, shake head and walk away as if not interested then get family member to bid for it

[123DWA]

DaveCWK said:

Hi all,
I'm looking for new family car - In the past i've only really bought privately or on eBay, but private sales of 3-6 year old cars are really thin on the ground these days & I don't really want to pay a dealer a big margin for some tyre shine.

Does anyone know if it's possible to buy cars at the auctions where used car dealers source stock; or are there any particular ones that people would recommend?

Basically, wherever dealers source cars from at 'trade' prices, I want to do that. I assume auctions are the 2nd source behind trade-ins? I think I have enough knowledge of what to look for to ensure I buy a good car.

As somebody in the trade; if you find an auction where you can buy cars that have a big margin and only need a clean then please do let me know

[blue_haddock]

DickyC said:

Buying one car from BCA, for example, is possible but it is expensive. The fees are loaded against private buyers in favour of trade buyers who buy several cars at a time.

One of BCA's principle sources now is WBAC, which they own.

My advice would be to keep plugging away at a private purchase until you find what you want. They're not all crooks.

BCA and most of the other major auctions are now strictly trade only so no longer deal with private punters.

[DickyC]

blue_haddock said:

DickyC said:

Buying one car from BCA, for example, is possible but it is expensive. The fees are loaded against private buyers in favour of trade buyers who buy several cars at a time.

One of BCA's principle sources now is WBAC, which they own.

My advice would be to keep plugging away at a private purchase until you find what you want. They're not all crooks.

BCA and most of the other major auctions are now strictly trade only so no longer deal with private punters.

Thanks for that. It wasn't that long ago but I remember the agro every time I went to collect cars from the auction with private buyers settling up at the window and shouting and swearing at the price once the fees were added. The private buyers' days were numbered even then.

[blue_haddock]

DickyC said:

Thanks for that. It wasn't that long ago but I remember the agro every time I went to collect cars from the auction with private buyers settling up at the window and shouting and swearing at the price once the fees were added. The private buyers' days were numbered even then.

And dont forget wanting to buy at trade prices but expecting all the retail sale perks.

[romft123]

DickyC said:

blue_haddock said:

DickyC said:

Buying one car from BCA, for example, is possible but it is expensive. The fees are loaded against private buyers in favour of trade buyers who buy several cars at a time.

One of BCA's principle sources now is WBAC, which they own.

My advice would be to keep plugging away at a private purchase until you find what you want. They're not all crooks.

BCA and most of the other major auctions are now strictly trade only so no longer deal with private punters.

Thanks for that. It wasn't that long ago but I remember the agro every time I went to collect cars from the auction with private buyers settling up at the window and shouting and swearing at the price once the fees were added. The private buyers' days were numbered even then.

Must be you, I have been buying at BCA and Mannheim for 40+ years and have never seen that

[bennno]

blue_haddock said:

BCA and most of the other major auctions are now strictly trade only so no longer deal with private punters.

Not quite accurate i've membership of BCA and Mannheim, however volumes of cars are very, very low and much better buys to be had privately.

Auction prices are eye watering even before fees being added, which are higher for infrequent buyers.

[andymc]

the main auction houses will not entertain private as they want trade prices but full retail rights, total PITA to them

[DickyC]

romft123 said:

Must be you, I have been buying at BCA and Mannheim for 40+ years and have never seen that

I'm a sensitive soul, tuned into buyers' anguish.

[EddieSteadyGo]

blue_haddock said:

BCA and most of the other major auctions are now strictly trade only so no longer deal with private punters.

I've recently opened a trade account with BCA and I'm not a trader. They just needed the account to be opened in the name of a limited company (and there was no requirement for the company's activities to be car related).

[Auto810graphy]

romft123 said:

Must be you, I have been buying at BCA and Mannheim for 40+ years and have never seen that

You clearly never had the pleasure of Blackbushe on a Tuesday afternoon. To be fair, I have not been to a physical auction for at least 6 years.

[bennno]

EddieSteadyGo said:

I've recently opened a trade account with BCA and I'm not a trader. They just needed the account to be opened in the name of a limited company (and there was no requirement for the company's activities to be car related).

be careful as whilst mercedes or bmw / mini direct are ok to buy from a lot of dealers offload problematic cars at auction.

[williamp]

be really careful. Or this could happen...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrELIz226vQ

so keep your eyebrows down. hands in pocket. Don't scratch your nose. Or wink for that matter, You know that Joe Biden look?? Perfect for car auctions..

[DaveCWK]

123DWA said:

DaveCWK said:

Hi all,
I'm looking for new family car - In the past i've only really bought privately or on eBay, but private sales of 3-6 year old cars are really thin on the ground these days & I don't really want to pay a dealer a big margin for some tyre shine.

Does anyone know if it's possible to buy cars at the auctions where used car dealers source stock; or are there any particular ones that people would recommend?

Basically, wherever dealers source cars from at 'trade' prices, I want to do that. I assume auctions are the 2nd source behind trade-ins? I think I have enough knowledge of what to look for to ensure I buy a good car.

As somebody in the trade; if you find an auction where you can buy cars that have a big margin and only need a clean then please do let me know

that was an unfair comment TBH - I know I wouldn't really want the job & aggro of selling 2nd hand cars to the general public.

I've sort of assumed that auction prices are roughly in line with trade in valuations (WBAC + a bit). So say on a dealer advertised £12k Mini Clubman, a trade in offer would be £8-£9k. Is that not the case then?
There's so few private cars for sale.

[bennno]

DaveCWK said:

that was an unfair comment TBH - I know I wouldn't really want the job & aggro of selling 2nd hand cars to the general public.

I've sort of assumed that auction prices are roughly in line with trade in valuations (WBAC + a bit). So say on a dealer advertised £12k Mini Clubman, a trade in offer would be £8-£9k. Is that not the case then?
There's so few private cars for sale.

Wbac is an arm of bca, they buy stock for the auction but in doing so make a profit and put in to BCA auction where a second profit is made.

There are few cars, perhaps 10% of 5 years ago, dealers are all chasing stock, anything without damage and decent history is being sold prior or at high rates.

Just keep an eye on private adds on autotrader and be prepared to travel and be prepared to pay wbac plus 10-15%

[buyerandseller]

EddieSteadyGo said:

I've recently opened a trade account with BCA and I'm not a trader. They just needed the account to be opened in the name of a limited company (and there was no requirement for the company's activities to be car related).

Interesting, did they not want to see proof of a Motor Trade Insurance Policy?

[EddieSteadyGo]

buyerandseller said:

Interesting, did they not want to see proof of a Motor Trade Insurance Policy?

No. And this wasn't some kind of trick or deception on my part. I was very clear, I was not a trader.