Bargain buys (British Car Auctions (BCA))

Member Name: johnt

Product:	British Car Auctions (BCA)
Date:	26/10/00 (3580 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: save money, wide selection

Disadvantages: daunting for the newcomer

Buying any used car carries a risk Whether you buy private, trade or auction. We've all heard of friends who've had bad experiences buying cars.

Auctions tend to carry a bad name, often unfairly so. Whilst there are a number of small back street auctions who sell the rubbish that the trade can't shift there are a number of good auction houses. BCA at Blackbushe is the largest is the largest car auction in the country,owned by ADT they try to make buying and selling a car as easy as possible.

Many people assume that you don't have any comeback when buying here but that isn't the case. When you buy there's an indemnity charge, this protects you against buying something thats been stolen, has finance owed, a false mileage reading or if it has ben written off. Should it have any of these then you are reimbursed.

Similarly after the hammer has fallen should you find any major fault that was not declared then you have comeback.Cars are sold as seen, with engineers report, sold with named faults or sold with no major faults. Either way you have a declaration as to the condition with comeback. Cars costing less than £1000 or more than 5 years old are excluded from the above and are sold as seen.

Never buy from an auction on your first visit, get accustomed to the procedures and prices. When you are ready to buy get there early, select a short list and inspect them. Get into the hall in good time as any comments by the auctioneer about conditions etc will be made once the vehicle is in the ring.

Also do your homework before you go, there are plenty of low mileage, nearly new cars from rental, lease and company fleets entered. These represent excellant value for money as they will have been well serviced and fully depreciated.

Go to the BCA web site for conditions of sale at www.british-car-auctions.co.uk. For pricing check out the Parkers price guide, the Buying Used Cars magazine and also www.au
tomotive.co.uk/fleetnews gives invaluable information on residual values as well as actual daily auction prices achieved.

With the effects of imports and falling new car prices in the UK it is worth checking these prices carefully as prices of new and used cars are on the way down.

With care you should have a wide selection of well maintained nearly new cars available at low prices.

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