Brave the winter chill for a great deal and great choice

Leading car auction specialist, BCA (British Car Auctions) is advising that the winter months are an excellent time to buy a used car, with great prices and a wide range of choice available.

“Although purse strings might be a bit tighter at the start of the New Year, now is a really good time to get a good deal on your next used car at auction” said Tim Naylor, PR Manager, BCA.

“Many companies change their fleet cars at the end of the year, meaning there is a good choice of quality ex-company vehicles readily available for the auction buyer. These vehicles are typically well maintained, fully serviced and with sensible mileages, and represent great value for money for buyers.

“For example, the following cars are typical examples from our database and have sold for these average values at these ages and mileages.”

2004 FIAT PANDA 1.2 ELEGANZA Hatchback, 5 Doors, Manual Petrol. 20K £3,500
2005 FORD FOCUS 1.6 GHIA Hatchback, 5 Doors, Manual Petrol. 20K £7,200
2004 HONDA CIVIC 1.6 VTEC SE Hatchback, 5 Doors, Manual Petrol. 45K £5,300
2005 NISSAN PRIMERA 2.2 DI 138 SE Hatchback, 5 Doors, Manual Diesel 75K £4,300
2006 PEUGEOT 207 1.4 SPORT 16V Hatchback, 3 Doors, Manual Petrol 20K £6,700
2003 RENAULT SCENIC 1.9 DCI PRIVILEGE MPV, 5 Doors, Manual Diesel 65K £4,500
2005 VAUXHALL VECTRA 1.9 CDTI 16V 150 DESIGN 5 Doors, Auto, Diesel 40K £7,900
2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 1.6 Convertible, 2 Doors, Manual Petrol 40K £7,600
2005 CITROEN C4 1.6 SX Hatchback, 5 Doors, Automatic, Petrol 20K £5,700
2005 MINI ONE 1.6 Hatchback, 3 Doors, Manual Transmission, Petrol 50K £7,600

At BCA, there is always a wide selection of cars to suit almost any family’s requirements, from saloons and hatchbacks to people movers and prestige cars. And with BCA auction centres right across the UK, a good deal is never far away.

“If you haven’t been to an auction before it might seem like a daunting prospect, but it can actually be a very good buying option providing you do a bit of homework” confirmed Tim Naylor. ““Be prepared by checking the auction catalogue before the day of the sale. If there is a specific type of vehicle you are after, this should help you locate what you want and will let you know when and where it is being auctioned. And on the morning of a sale, have a flick through the catalogue to see if anything takes your fancy. If you are not that sure about cars yourself, bring along someone more experienced.

“Arrive in good time on the morning of the sale, especially if you are looking for a specific vehicle, as this will give you a chance to have a look at what is available. If possible, we recommend selecting a couple of ‘back-ups’. Then if you’re unlucky in bidding for your first vehicle, you still have a chance with your subsequent choices.

“From a seller’s point of view, auctions provide a quick and efficient way to sell cars in volume. Therefore, the onus is on the buyer to check the vehicle before the auction starts, particularly the overall visible condition and trim as these factors are 'sold as seen'.

“When the auction starts, vehicles are driven in lot order in front of the rostrum to be sold. This is your chance to listen to the engine running. Stand somewhere the auctioneer can clearly see you and bid by waving your catalogue to catch their eye. Then, once the auctioneer knows you are bidding, a simple nod is sufficient for each subsequent increment. Typically, bidding is made in £100 increments; however it is not uncommon for £200, £500 and £1,000 bids on high value vehicles.

“And setting a limit on what you want to spend is sensible; you certainly don’t want to pay more than the vehicle is worth. Bidding at an auction for the first time can be daunting, but at the same time addictively exciting. However, try not to get too caught up in the moment! Remember, you are there to buy your car for the best price possible.”