merlin car-auctions

damagegt

just wondering what peoples opinion on the merlin car auctions.Is there much of a saving to be gotten or do you get caught with auction fees and end up paying the same?

Thanks guys.

biko

An earlier thread http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055487518 Didn't read it but it's got a lot of replies

bazz26

Car auctions are not for a novice. While the quality of cars going through the auctions has risen in the last year or two there are still lots of junk that would have been sold elsewhere for more if there wasn't something wrong with it. Also members of the trade are at these auctions, they have a well trained eye and usually snap up the good stuff.

Go to a few auctions first and see how they work. If you don't know a good car from a bad car then stay well clear, any savings you made at auction will be spend afterwards and then some.

damagegt

well thats that answered it would have beem my first and i know abit about a car but i cant say i would know a hell of a lot .But would it not be the same as buying private?So i take it your not given any service history or other info then?

Thanks anyway

bazz26

damagegt wrote: »

well thats that answered it would have beem my first and i know abit about a car but i cant say i would know a hell of a lot .But would it not be the same as buying private?So i take it your not given any service history or other info then?

Thanks anyway

With a private sale you can still take the car for a long test drive and have it thoroughly examined by a mechanic. With an auction you might get to examin the car for about 30 mins before the auction begins and no test drive afaik.

damagegt

true true.well ill ask around abit more and ill go to a few auctions and see what the story is.
Thanks again guys.

roosterman71

There's also no warranty given at these auctions. Its bought as seen. And if it falls apart driving out the gate, its your problem and not theirs.

Also, be aware that the value the car is sold for at the auction doesn't include auctioneers fees (I think its €500 or something - open to correction) or VAT which is currently 21.5%

lifer_sean

Merlin fees are 5% of hammer price plus vat plus 180 indemnity. So for 5,000 hammer price the fees are:
Fee: 250
VAT: 53.75
Indem. 180
Total = 483.75

Re. viewing the cars, the exterior can be examined in the afternoon before the auction. The cars are unlocked for approx 10 mins before being driven through.

Saab Ed

Merlin is the Paddy Power of car sales. Unless you really know what you are doing you are going to loose. Private punters only get the car if the trade dont want it and if the trade dont want it then there's something wrong or its to dear. Plus because everybody is after a bargain at the moment the auction is full of nut jobs paying mad money for sh**e. You'll do better from the private adds and you do sound like you are very wet behind the ears so my advice to you is best to stay away unless you fancy getting chewed up.

damagegt

well i never thought about the trade been out there and your dead right i wouldnt have a clue what im doin and would end up buying something i dont want .well i have just been offered audi a3,04,full service history from main dealer 56,000 on the clock........going once going twice sold to the man with the wet ears for .......€5000 .What a sign of the times that is.

Thanks again guy but i think ill have to take the audi.

mcloughj

damagegt wrote: »

well i never thought about the trade been out there and your dead right i wouldnt have a clue what im doin and would end up buying something i dont want .well i have just been offered audi a3,04,full service history from main dealer 56,000 on the clock........going once going twice sold to the man with the wet ears for .......€5000 .What a sign of the times that is.

Thanks again guy but i think ill have to take the audi.

Well done! Where did that happen? PM me if you don't want to advertise them! thanks!

damagegt

A guy in waterford.Hes headin to aus and needed the cash.Best of luck to him.Now that i have hes car.

Dancing_Priest

5000?
Did you view it at his house?
Did you get a car history check?
Are you for real?
No offence, that sounds great, but its so great it seems almost too good to be true!;)

damagegt

Ya at hes house.It has a full main dealer service history up untill 2 months ago.i dont know much about cars so i brought my mate whos in the trade with me.He was leaving in a week and needed the money.Ching -Ching new car for me

Amzie

Omg what a bargain!!! you lucky thing! Ive got like 6K and cant find anything I like for that price! gahhh!:(

lifer_sean

damagegt wrote: »

Ya at hes house.It has a full main dealer service history up untill 2 months ago.i dont know much about cars so i brought my mate whos in the trade with me.He was leaving in a week and needed the money.Ching -Ching new car for me

That's the deal of the year if it works out for you !

I'd advise you to run a full (history+finance) check on the car with cartell.ie if you havn't already done so, just to be sure !

You certainly wouldn't get it for anything like that price in Merlin.

Our man in Havana

Remember if you bid on a finance repossession car, whilst the car may be knocked down to you at say for example €5000 the sale is subject to approval of the finance house who may not accept your bid. They may ask to to pay more than your bid. Beware.