Buying @ Auction - Mechanic needed for evening.

laratara86

Hi all - I am looking for some help........

I would like to buy a new car. I have been looking for a couple of weeks now and in the last couple of days, I have been entertaining the idea of a Car Auction.

However I don't want to rock up to the Belgard/Merlin Auction, buy what appears to be a Bargain and then have no come back.

I would like to hire a mechanic for the evening to come with me and check out any vehicles that may take my fancy.....To tell me things like are the wheels about to fall off etc........

I am looking at BMW 3 series 06 and above, Passats 06 and above Audi A4 and A6.

If anybody can help or make any suggestions I would be very grateful.........
T.

-Corkie-

You would probably get a car as cheap on Donedeal or even of a dealer with a warranty. There is no bargains in the auctions.

Max Power1

cars sold at auction = higher than normal risk of trouble/moneypit.

colm_mcm

If you're spending that money, being able to test drive the car is important.

Vertakill

Agree with the others here.

Personally, I'd heard of a couple M3's going to auction in the eauction there on the weekend and I thought... maybe there'll be a bargain.

They came out marginally more expensive than the going rate online for the same year/mileage (€12k)... It could turn out to be a great car but you're really putting yourself at a huge risk if you're only settings eyes on the car for the first time at the auction.

AND, they don't even leave the keys with the cars. So you only get to have a look at the car, you don't get a driving test and you don't hear it running.

If you're spending a decent amount of money, it's crazy, imo, to pay without even firing up the car.

You have fairly inrealistic ideas of what a mechanic will do I think, doubt you'll fine a reputable one willing to do this.

cadaliac

I would steer clear of the auctions if I were you. DoneDeal.ie of even a dealer with warranty is the way to go if spending more that 5 or 6k.
A mechanic will do nothing for you at an auction - considering that you can't even start the car, let alone test drive it. Only a Cristal ball will tell you if the car was any good or not.

Bigus

laratara86 wrote: »

Hi all - I am looking for some help........

I would like to buy a new car. I have been looking for a couple of weeks now and in the last couple of days, I have been entertaining the idea of a Car Auction.

However I don't want to rock up to the Belgard/Merlin Auction, buy what appears to be a Bargain and then have no come back.

I would like to hire a mechanic for the evening to come with me and check out any vehicles that may take my fancy.....To tell me things like are the wheels about to fall off etc........

I am looking at BMW 3 series 06 and above, Passats 06 and above Audi A4 and A6.

If anybody can help or make any suggestions I would be very grateful.........
T.

Firstly you are not going to buy at your first auction so fire away and have a look and attend the Auction on your own.

If a car goes through you like and it gets sold so be it. After a few auctions You'll also see that a lot of the same cars go through week after week especially at Merlin,

this way you can then spot frest stuff and zone in on it.

When something comes along you like then get the mechanic. Also don't wait til the car you want is going through to make your first bid, because the auctioneer will know that your an amateur and drive up the price. So have the balls and bid really low on something you don't want but know that they are not going to sell for you at your bid price and withdraw.

I know Belgardauctions will let you do a thorough inspection of any vehicle in advance and will even let you drive it.

There are bargains at auction but it does take homework, and also they check that there is no finance owing.

A lot of cars are sold after auction and this might be the way to go.

If you don't buy at auction sure it will educate you on prices

Good Luck

laratara86

Thanks Bigus,

Your reply was very helpful - I think I may Kibosh the idea of auction.
Your advice was spot on,

Thanks again,
T

Vertakill

Bigus wrote: »

When something comes along you like then get the mechanic. Also don't wait til the car you want is going through to make your first bid, because the auctioneer will know that your an amateur and drive up the price. So have the balls and bid really low on something you don't want but know that they are not going to sell for you at your bid price and withdraw.

Never thought of this! Quite clever.

Bigus

laratara86 wrote: »

Thanks Bigus,

Your reply was very helpful - I think I may Kibosh the idea of auction.
Your advice was spot on,

Thanks again,
T

Why not use the auction to educate yourself on prices ?