I have been going to BCA auctions quite a lot recently with the intent of buying a Rover 420 ied.This will be the first time I have bought from an auction. Any advice ?

chrol wrote:
I have been going to BCA auctions quite a lot recently with the intent of buying a Rover 420 ied.This will be the first time I have bought from an auction. Any advice ?

Don't bid too much ;) If you've been to a few you'll know the form. After a plate change you tend to see more trade-ins come through, some with dodgy resprays, bent panels etc. Be careful that you're not bidding against a ghost, so I guess you've got to not appear too keen.

and remember that there are plenty of fish in the sea

Usually, you won't get to see a car running until its about to be auctioned. If you can, try and lurk around any car you're interested in when they start it up. That way you can look for start-up smoke and listen for expensive noises.

Obviously, look for the classic signs which say 'this car's been clocked', stuff like low milage cars with worn seats and worn pedal rubbers.

Be a bit suspicious of anything too shiny.

Never set foot in an auction, so no experience from my side of the fence I'm afraid 8)

Go for a BCA Warranted car, that way if it turns out to be a duffer you will get your money back, and don't forget, if a car seems cheap it usually means its ''circling the drain'', mind you, i have heard that auction prices are not far off of retail at the moment so you might be better off getting one from a dealer who, overall, may be able to give you a better deal.

Well said Kevin :D you always talk sense :) 8)

At some auctions (check terms and conditions) you have a LIMITED period of time to reject the car. Take it for a drive and check clutch slip, knocks and rattles etc Service history comes with some, but they can't always give warranted milage

I went to a local car auction to have a look around.. there were several 400's being sold from dodgy accident repairs to ex local rover salesman dealer cars (FSH)

prices werent much less than what you can get in local yellow paper.. my advice.. get a car from the local free ads as you can take as long as you like to view and there aint 6 other people all wanted that car at the same time