| Auctions can be an intimidating place to buy a car. | | | | these details together in a spreadsheet and print it out |
| However having recently experienced buying at one, I | | | | to take with you. |
| decided to write this guide to encourage more women | | | | At the Auction |
| to consider this as an alternative. | | | | 6. Arrive early before the bidding starts, so you can |
| My son wanted to buy a van for his business, | | | | pay your deposit (if required), get your bidders number |
| however most of the vans available locally in his price | | | | and a guide to the vehicles for sale. |
| range, were either battle scarred or had high mileage. | | | | 7. The cars will all be parked up, in numerical order, |
| So he decided to try an auction. As my husband (the | | | | take a quick sweep through to identify all those that |
| motoring expert in our house) was unable to attend, I | | | | you are interested in and return to look at these in |
| stepped into the breach. It was a very interesting | | | | detail. For each car you like, mark a price on the |
| experience with lessons learnt very quickly, however | | | | catalogue that you are willing to go to. |
| following a few rules we did ended up with a smart | | | | 8. Before your first choice comes up, go and watch |
| looking van with low mileage for the less money than | | | | the bidding, to get a feel for what is happening, so you |
| would have been needed to buy from a dealer. | | | | will comfortable when you bid. |
| Preparation is key to buying at Auction | | | | Checking the Car |
| 1. Use the internet to find your local Auctions and look | | | | If possible bring someone with you who can help |
| at the list of vehicles for sale. Check that there are | | | | check the cars over, a quick check list for the non |
| several of the type that you are interested in. No point | | | | technical is given below. Remember at Auction you |
| going otherwise. | | | | cannot test drive the car, but the cars will be driven |
| 2. Check the rules of the Auction. | | | | through the arena. Below are some ideas of what to |
| - How can you pay? | | | | look for. |
| - Is there a deposit to pay before bidding? | | | | 9. Check for battle damage. Sometimes this is obvious, |
| - What are the additional costs to pay on top of the | | | | a scrape or a dent but it is not so easy to spot |
| bid price | | | | re-sprays after accidents. Look at the colours of the |
| - Tax and Insurance | | | | individual panels, are they all the same? Is the inside of |
| 3. Before driving the car away, you need insure it and | | | | the door the same colour as the outside? Do all the |
| then tax it. While you can get immediate insurance | | | | panels line up? |
| online or over the phone, there will be a delay before | | | | 10. Look at the engine. Is there oil everywhere? Then |
| you can be tax it, as you either need a cover note for | | | | give it a miss. On the flip side an engine that looks as if |
| the Post Office or the insurance company to update | | | | it has been steam cleaned is suspicious. Go for an |
| the national database to be able to tax online or by | | | | engine that looks used but has no oil. |
| phone. Some insurance companies can provide a | | | | 11. Check the tread on the tyres. I saw that many of |
| cover note by email. It is worth checking with your | | | | the tyres were painted black to make them look |
| insurance company before going to the auction. | | | | newer than they actually were. |
| 4. How you are going to take the car away? You can | | | | 12. Be at the car when it is started up for the drive into |
| either pay for delivery to your home or wait until your | | | | the bidding area. It should start first time and run well. |
| tax and insurance are sorted out and then drive it | | | | Auction Buying |
| away. Check the costs involved for both options as | | | | This article was presented to you by Look4CarCare. If |
| the Auctioneers will charge for storage of your car | | | | you buy a car with scuffs or scrapes and need a |
| beyond a set time. | | | | bumper repair, paint work restoration, or alloy wheel |
| 5. Decide on the make and model, mileage range and | | | | refurbishment , use this website to find the nearest |
| condition for the types of vehicle you are interested in. | | | | technician to you. They will employ SMART repair |
| Check the price ranges for each selection using the | | | | technology to bring your car back into pristine condition |
| internet. Decide how much you are willing to bid, given | | | | at a fraction of the prices charged by a body shop. |
| the additional costs buying at Auction will involve. Put all | | | | |