Car Auctions - comeback

Dr.Silly

Hi,

If you buy a car at an auction, do you really have no comeback if the car has something seriously wrong with it and stops working after a day or two ?
I know in the fine print it says zero warrantly, guarantee and buy as seen, but I would have thought there would be some time of legal consumer act that would entitle you to something ?

Cheers

PS I haven't bought anything yet but am considering it.

Dymo

Caveat emptor, buyer beware you are given adequate time to view the cars or lots and then you have to make the decision to how much you are prepared to bid on the item.

That's why you can buy things cheaper at an auction and make a killing but go there with your eyes open.

bazz26

You get about 15/20 mins before the auction to examin the car so if you don't know a good car from a money pit by then you shouldn't even consider buying at an auction.

There is no comeback with auctions as you cannot have you're cake and eat it at the same time. Times have changed and these days auction selling prices are not that far off retail prices meaning that it is not worth it considering the risk involved.

Also those in the trade who know their stuff snap up the decent cars at the right price while not getting drawn into a bidding war with the novice over in the corner caught up in the euphoria.

abceeire1

i was just at the auctions by naas, my friend and i saw 2 golf gti cars , sold for 5 grand less then medium priced cars on the net, do the auctions houses do any kinda serivce were they check the cars out for you?
if your willing to take the risk it seems like a way to make some money

abceeire1

you get lots of time to look at the cars , they are sitting there all day b4 the auction and you can go look at them, bring a mechanic, sure its same way you d buy one privatly, if your used to buying cars in a garage it may seem mad way to buy, but if you usually buy your cars privatly sure why not get one in an auction

Auctions (including ebay) aren't covered by consumer law.

They have different laws.

Big Nasty

Dr.Silly wrote: »

I know in the fine print it says zero warrantly, guarantee and buy as seen

There's your answer right there Silly!

abceeire1

what is the difference between buying private and an auction?
yes auctions are more risky, but people go on like every lemon in the country goes there, dealer wouldnt be there buying stock if all the cars were rubbish

mickdw

abceeire1 wrote: »

people go on like every lemon in the country goes there, dealer wouldnt be there buying stock if all the cars were rubbish

All the cars are not lemons. THere are a small percentage which are complete lemons being disposed of a auction. There are a percentage which have been damaged & are worth less than genuine stock. There will also be some needing major money spent in near future to put right, some otheres rough around the edges & finally some perfectly good cars.
The people with a good knowledge of cars can seriously reduce the odds of getting caught out although Im sure every trader has been caught some time. If they are buying a lot of cars & are generally knowledgeable & have facilities to carry out repairs themselves, they will generally make money.
Now compare this to an auction newbie, turning up, seeing a car they like, buying it alittle under retail price & then finding they have been had.
My point is that the newbie have a much higher chance of finding the money pit.