Merlin auction

cena

What price do cars normally go for at auction

Gorgeousgeorge

cena wrote: »

What price do cars normally go for at auction

Depends on the car. Condition etc. Can be cheaper than going to a dealer or buying private but your buying without a test drive i think which tells alot about the car

bazz26

About the same price as a length of string.

Honestly there is no exact answer to that question. It really depends on the car, how much interest it has and if it has a reserve price on it or not.

colm_mcm

Gorgeousgeorge wrote: »

buying without a test drive i think which tells alot about the car

That’s just how auctions work.

Toyotafanboi

I was interested in a car there last year. Merlins make it easy for a non trades person to attend in fairness.

The prices for cars vary wildly but you can buy a "snapshot" from Merlins for €5 that tells you every car they sold over the last 3 months and what it went for, if you want a guideline.

Keep in mind that hammer prices in the snapshot don't include the house fees etc.

Gorgeousgeorge

colm_mcm wrote: »

That’s just how auctions work.

No way really captain obvious

CiniO

cena wrote: »

What price do cars normally go for at auction

I can give you my own example from October 2016.
I was looking to buy Honda CRV 2.0 petrol 2nd gen facelift model automatic. Ideally high spec. There was very few of them on the market in Ireland. Really only one fulfilling all requirements, and low mileage, advertised by Dublin dealer for 4000 eur. (2005 year)
Few more bit cheaper mostly private sales but either manual or pre facelift if auto.
I was even entertaining taking spin to Dublin to have a look at it, but 4k seemed too much for me so I wasn't in hurry, and when I rang the dealer eventually he said car was gone.

But only a week later exactly same car appeared on Merlin car auction. I decided to take a spin to Kildare. I arrived early. Had a proper look at the car. I checked all I could check on stationary car including engine. But obviously couldn't drive it so couldn't check transmission, suspension etc.
Decided to take part in the auction. Bidding started at 1000 afair, and there seemed to be only one other bidder for that car. We were going 100 up with each bid. I reached 1900. He reached 2000 and that was it. I didn't bid any higher. Reserve wasn't met. Went home without the car.

I read that in case reserve isn't met it's up to seller if he wants to sell for highest bid price or not.

Only next day I checked their website and car was readvertised for another auction.
I didn't bother going again, but took part in auction online. This time I bid up to 2200 and won.
Went to pick up the car few days later. Had to pay 2200 + about 300 auction fees so 2500 all together.
Car turned out perfectly fine. Transmission and all crucial elements were perfectly fine. Only issue it had was seized brake calliper which I got fixed for a 100.

Month later I travelled in it to Poland, then Italy, and few other places in Europe. Really happy with it. Price I paid was excellent then comapring to buying from dealer or privately.

But as others said - you are taking the risk buying there, so have to account for that risk in price you're willing to bid.

colm_mcm

Gorgeousgeorge wrote: »

No way really captain obvious

To be fair I’m replying to your bizzare comment that not being able to test drive the car says a lot about it. I’d surely be forgiven for thinking you didn’t know how things work?

kirving

Have been to BCA Blackbushe in the UK.

Extremely professional operation with up to 1400 cars for auction every day across 3 halls.

I went with a guy who often buys multiple cars and gets them transported home to sell, that particular day he bought absolutely nothing because the cars were going for more than Car Giant, or even local dealers, and that was before auction fees were added, which are significantly higher for private individuals.

My view on it was that there were too many private people there who got carried away, and didn't see the true value of the car.

The booklet that you can buy gives a full load of prices for the car, depending on their condition.

All cars pretty much went for within £100 of one of those prices - so people thought they did well. The reality was (for the cars I was looking at anyway) that the cars needed a lot of work.

ie: Grade 3 car went for Grade 1/2 money. The grades (1-5) don't match the CAP grades (Clean, Average and Below) so it can be confusing sometimes. Add in an auction that is over in all of 20 seconds, and it's easy to over pay.

The reality was (for the cars I was looking at anyway) that the cars needed a lot of work.

One 5 series I was looking at for example needed a front bumper and bonnet respray due to severe stone chips, front tyres, front discs, and the rear bumper filled and sprayed. The car was most likely driven very hard down backroads. It went for more than a far better condition car 20 mins down the road I had looked up as a backup. Add on fees, and it was between £1000-1500 more expensive.

There are certainly bargains to be had, but you have absolutely got to know your stuff, bring a mechanic if you're not knowledgeable, and under no circumstances go past your limit.

ELM327

cena wrote: »

What price do cars normally go for at auction

Tree Fiddy