Motor Auctions

Useful Hints for Buyers

1 Decide in advance what type of vehicle you require and how much you want to pay.

2 Study all available guides, such as PARKER'S GUIDE or CAR TRADE PRICES, to establish the level of prices, mileage and condition, which can be expected.

3 Make several visits to the auction beforehand to note the prices achieved and watch the sales in progress.

4 When you are finally ready to buy the car of your choice, examine it as carefully as possible before it is driven into the auction ring, make a note of the lot number, decide how much you are prepared to pay for it, then follow the car to the rostrum.
a) SOLD AS SEEN. All vehicles are “SOLD AS SEEN” regardless of age or value, unless the auctioneers announces to the contrary. Any description appearing on the vehicle must be ignored and no sale may be cancelled.
b) SOLD WITH A TRIAL. This is when sold with a mechanical warranty. All trials must be taken up with one hour after the end of the sale and must be arranged through the auctioneers office. A trial covers all major mechanicals, such as, Engine, Gearbox, Brakes, Clutch, Transmission, and Steering, as described on the window sheet. A trial entitles a purchaser to try the vehicle on the auction premises, with a member of the motor auctions staff present, for any of the above items that were marked as been warranted. Any complaints relating to the condition of a vehicle SOLD WITH A TRIAL must be referred to the auctioneers within one hour of the end of the sale. Complaints after that time limit has expired cannot be considered.

5 Payment. If you are successful in bidding, you will be required to pay a cash deposit of 10% of the sale price with a minimum of £100. At the same time giving you full name and address. This deposit must be paid in CASH. A deposit is also required on a provisional bids and is refunded if your bid is not accepted.

6 INDEMNITY FEE. All vehicles sold are subject to an indemnity fee. This is the clear title insurance should the vehicle ever turn out to be stolen or reprocessed for outstanding finance. This works on a sliding scale according to the price of the vehicle, and this is a condition of sale. All vehicles selling for under £750 or over 10 years old, will not be checked on the HPi register for “Write Off” purposes. They will be checked for finance and security purposes only.

7 Value Added Tax (VAT). This is Payable on most commercial vehicles and is calculated on the invoice price at the current rate. Any vehicle, which is subject to VAT, will be marked on the catalogue and it will also be announced by the auctioneers at the time of sale.

8 PROVISIONAL SALES. Sometimes, the bidding on a vehicle may stop slightly short of the reserve price. At this point, the auctioneer may offer the last / highest bidder the OPTION TO PURCHASE subject to further negotiation with the vendor. This unusual result in a successfully completed sale and the normal requirements for a deposit applies, as do standard auction rules.

9 LIABILITY. At the fall of the hammer, the vehicle becomes the responsibility of the purchaser and so it is in your own interest to pay for and insure it at the earliest opportunity.