BCA trader account - 330e
Discussion
Evening all.
For better or worse I've narrowed down my next car choice to a BMW 330e touring M sport. My heart says an older 340i touring but my head says you've got a 110 mile daily commute, this'll be much better on the wallet!
I've spotted a few that I like on BCA but I've only got a basic account so can't make proxy bids.
Few questions!
1. I've seen I can upgrade to a non motor trade account for £100+vat but it also says rejected applications won't be refunded! I've got a business that I'm a director of and an established business bank account. Is that the main things they're looking for when deciding whether to approve or not?
2. If I am successful is it as easy as make my bid, pay & collect?
3. Does anyone have a BCA trade account that might want to help a fellow PH'er out!?
Happy to receive comments on choice of car over from my shortlist of a 2017 340i; ;2019 X3 M40d and a 2020/21 330e!
For better or worse I've narrowed down my next car choice to a BMW 330e touring M sport. My heart says an older 340i touring but my head says you've got a 110 mile daily commute, this'll be much better on the wallet!
I've spotted a few that I like on BCA but I've only got a basic account so can't make proxy bids.
Few questions!
1. I've seen I can upgrade to a non motor trade account for £100+vat but it also says rejected applications won't be refunded! I've got a business that I'm a director of and an established business bank account. Is that the main things they're looking for when deciding whether to approve or not?
2. If I am successful is it as easy as make my bid, pay & collect?
3. Does anyone have a BCA trade account that might want to help a fellow PH'er out!?
Happy to receive comments on choice of car over from my shortlist of a 2017 340i; ;2019 X3 M40d and a 2020/21 330e!
1. I've not heard of the £49/£99 (plus VAT) registration fees, maybe its a new thing for 2025. I registered for an account and it was pretty easy, but then I had motor trade insurance (which is basically what they take as proof of trading). I use my own personal account, not a business account, though. I don't think they can know the difference.
2. Yes, its a pretty easy process to buy a car on BCA. I've bought 4 so far. Bidding is quick - some auctions run for about 20 secs. You can't be messing around, have a max price and bid up to it, let it go if it goes over and let someone else have it. No time to re-think during the auction!!!
The main delay has been getting a collection slot but sometimes you can get it next day. Otherwise it might need to be the day after. There's a slim window in between a collection slot becoming available and the addition of storage fees, you need to be in a position to get to the BCA branch and collect it (make sure you don't buy one from the other end of the country.....its dead money). Helpfully, if you book a collection slot later than the free storage time (2-3 days) they'll automatically invoice you the storage in advance, and you can settle it, so everything's ready for collection on your future date.
3. Not sure how it would work, there's so much risk on the trader (they are basically obligated to buy the car....). Are you dead set on buying on BCA, why not buy retail?
2. Yes, its a pretty easy process to buy a car on BCA. I've bought 4 so far. Bidding is quick - some auctions run for about 20 secs. You can't be messing around, have a max price and bid up to it, let it go if it goes over and let someone else have it. No time to re-think during the auction!!!
The main delay has been getting a collection slot but sometimes you can get it next day. Otherwise it might need to be the day after. There's a slim window in between a collection slot becoming available and the addition of storage fees, you need to be in a position to get to the BCA branch and collect it (make sure you don't buy one from the other end of the country.....its dead money). Helpfully, if you book a collection slot later than the free storage time (2-3 days) they'll automatically invoice you the storage in advance, and you can settle it, so everything's ready for collection on your future date.
3. Not sure how it would work, there's so much risk on the trader (they are basically obligated to buy the car....). Are you dead set on buying on BCA, why not buy retail?
As someone in the trade I would recommend you source one privately via a normal used car dealer / supermarket as you get to check the car and have warranty and rights if something goes wrong.
When buying the appraisals only show cosmetic damage and accuracy varies by staff and branch. One branch could list a car grade 1 whilst another says it’s 3.
The way to look at it is how much saving would you have made if the car you purchase turns up with a buckled wheel and stinks of cigarettes.
When buying the appraisals only show cosmetic damage and accuracy varies by staff and branch. One branch could list a car grade 1 whilst another says it’s 3.
The way to look at it is how much saving would you have made if the car you purchase turns up with a buckled wheel and stinks of cigarettes.
Probably because private sales are less of an issue than auction cars; and that dealer sourced it from an auction. There's always a reason a car ends up at auction. Sometimes that reason is benign (ie its simply not the right stock profile from a dealer's part-ex), sometimes it has "issues" and a lot of the time, these won't be apparent on the listing, or at first glance of the car. Whenever buying from auction I always ask myself "why is it here?"
SteBrown91 said:
QuattroDave said:
Only looking at G series.
I'm fairly new to the 330e as I'm usually a large engine petrol or diesel type guy, what's the issue with the 30e?
The F series ones have a habit of cacking their batteries which turns them into a very heavy 320iI'm fairly new to the 330e as I'm usually a large engine petrol or diesel type guy, what's the issue with the 30e?
Curios about this:
1. I've seen I can upgrade to a non motor trade account for £100+vat but it also says rejected applications won't be refunded! I've got a business that I'm a director of and an established business bank account. Is that the main things they're looking for when deciding whether to approve or not?
So are they giving non motor traders accounts? So if you were an estate agent you could basically get a BCA account?
1. I've seen I can upgrade to a non motor trade account for £100+vat but it also says rejected applications won't be refunded! I've got a business that I'm a director of and an established business bank account. Is that the main things they're looking for when deciding whether to approve or not?
So are they giving non motor traders accounts? So if you were an estate agent you could basically get a BCA account?
paul_c123 said:
There's always a reason a car ends up at auction. Sometimes that reason is benign (ie its simply not the right stock profile from a dealer's part-ex), sometimes it has "issues" and a lot of the time, these won't be apparent on the listing, or at first glance of the car. Whenever buying from auction I always ask myself "why is it here?"
That’s not always the case, lots of dealer groups and leasing companies have an “auction only” policy so everything goes there regardless so it’s worth knowing which vendors to look for. PurpleFox said:
Curios about this:
1. I've seen I can upgrade to a non motor trade account for £100+vat but it also says rejected applications won't be refunded! I've got a business that I'm a director of and an established business bank account. Is that the main things they're looking for when deciding whether to approve or not?
So are they giving non motor traders accounts? So if you were an estate agent you could basically get a BCA account?
No one in their right mind would give an estate agent an account, surely 1. I've seen I can upgrade to a non motor trade account for £100+vat but it also says rejected applications won't be refunded! I've got a business that I'm a director of and an established business bank account. Is that the main things they're looking for when deciding whether to approve or not?
So are they giving non motor traders accounts? So if you were an estate agent you could basically get a BCA account?
I'm at the same point as you, saw that they seem to accept applications from non motor traders, but do they approve them!
Auto810graphy said:
paul_c123 said:
There's always a reason a car ends up at auction. Sometimes that reason is benign (ie its simply not the right stock profile from a dealer's part-ex), sometimes it has "issues" and a lot of the time, these won't be apparent on the listing, or at first glance of the car. Whenever buying from auction I always ask myself "why is it here?"
That’s not always the case, lots of dealer groups and leasing companies have an “auction only” policy so everything goes there regardless so it’s worth knowing which vendors to look for. Basic rule is do not buy trade or px cars in BCA they are invariably in for a reason.
Stick to fleet lease contract hire etc or finance mostly 1 owner with good history.
Most buyers with a BCA account will require full payment for the vehicle before bidding so if you are happy with that ok.
Bear in mind there will be quite high fees ££ to pay on top of the hammer price too.
Stick to fleet lease contract hire etc or finance mostly 1 owner with good history.
Most buyers with a BCA account will require full payment for the vehicle before bidding so if you are happy with that ok.
Bear in mind there will be quite high fees ££ to pay on top of the hammer price too.
av185 said:
Basic rule is do not buy trade or px cars in BCA they are invariably in for a reason.
Stick to fleet lease contract hire etc or finance mostly 1 owner with good history.
Most buyers with a BCA account will require full payment for the vehicle before bidding so if you are happy with that ok.
Bear in mind there will be quite high fees ££ to pay on top of the hammer price too.
Thank you sir. You did email me in December when I asked about BCA before which I only responded to the other day as it took that long to sell my XJ! The car type I was looking at is almost certainly going to be lease or finance cars - 330e touring.Stick to fleet lease contract hire etc or finance mostly 1 owner with good history.
Most buyers with a BCA account will require full payment for the vehicle before bidding so if you are happy with that ok.
Bear in mind there will be quite high fees ££ to pay on top of the hammer price too.
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