Purchasing from BCA?

Purchasing from BCA?

Author
Discussion

AlexGSi2000

Original Poster:

398 posts

201 months

Tuesday 15th October
quotequote all
Morning,

I was wondering if someone could offer some advice on purchasing from BCA?

Current scenario is that I've found two cars they have coming up for auction that I'm interested in.

I've purchased a couple of cars previously from Copart - last one probably around 6 years ago when private individuals could buy, I'm not sure if its still the same, or if its now restricted.

It looks like BCA is trade only, I've requested the details in order for registration, but I'm assuming they will want company details,etc for which I don't have as I'm not a trader.

Ideally I'd probably ask any friends I had in the trade if they could bid for me, but nobody I know has one.
I've had a quick look online and found there are auction buying services available, I wonder if this is the route to go down?


Kevin-2g5x2

38 posts

46 months

Tuesday 15th October
quotequote all
You cannot buy from BCA as a private individual, and speaking as a sole trader who has an account with them since 1980 there business model changed during Covid, the grading is often 'optimistic', and it is easy for the auctioneers to bid cars up when they're sitting in an office behind a screen rather than in front of buyers.
Unless you're spending someone elses money, eg: a car supermarket buyer, then you're better off buying face to face with a private seller off Autotrader and viewing what you're buying, probably explains why I've not bought stock from them for eighteen months and source stuff elsewhere, as do several of my associates.

AlexGSi2000

Original Poster:

398 posts

201 months

Tuesday 15th October
quotequote all
Cheers Kevin,

Seems they are all going online only these days.

I had a few from Copart over the years that turned up worse than expected... I quickly learned that "undiagnosed noise from engine bay" meant that it required an engine!

I'm not sure where all the used cars are going these days, they just seem to be taken in as part-ex / websites such as motorway and then disappear into the ether.

The car in question that I have seen does require an engine, but as I have done in the past, more than willing to take on as a project if it saves me a couple of quid, keeps me out of trouble for a few weeks too!

aceofspades1

271 posts

28 months

Wednesday 16th October
quotequote all
A mate of mine who is a trader bought a low mileage 987 from them then sold it to me, it was totally faultless and I did thousands of miles in it trouble free other general maintenance.

If you're going to bid, assume it could be good or bad egg, prepare to cut your losses, and know how much you can recoup for the car if it's not one worth keeping. They are trade sales for a reason... it could be a decent motor, it might be a dog


bennno

12,728 posts

276 months

Wednesday 16th October
quotequote all

There were 2-3 car buying traders, but as bidding committed them to the car they wanted cleared funds in advance, which becomes risky if you don’t win the car etc.

One went tits up with lots of other peoples money…..