Giles Chapman

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Buying a car at auction can be exciting, but it’s also a risky business and they’re not for the inexperienced! Whilst cars are placed at auction for a variety of reasons, the bottom line is always about getting rid fast, and be aware you can never actually drive the cars before you bid. So to get the best deal you need to:

• Bring a friend who knows the drill. It’s easy to get carried away at auction, so if you’re going as a rookie it’s advisable to always be in the company of an experienced friend who knows about cars.

• Get an expert to check the car before you start bidding.

• Ask your friend to help you chose your maximum price and stick to it.

• Visit your chosen auction for at least one dry run and see how things are conducted.

• Read the auction house’s terms and conditions. Remember cars are usually sold ‘as seen’ and you’ll get very little legal protection. You’ll only get redress if you can show that the auction house misled you. The auctioneer probably won’t be liable if the seller doesn’t have the right to sell the car – for instance, if it turns out to be stolen. But most reputable auction houses carry out car data checks before auctioning them – make sure this has been done. Many also charge a buyer’s fee and this might include protection in the event of the car being stolen, for instance. Your rights depend on the conditions of sale so read them very carefully!

• If you are buying through an online auction, read the terms and conditions very carefully. You are unlikely to be able to see the car before purchase, though try and visit with a mechanic if you can. Either way do your homework on the make and model carefully – you can use AA Car Buyer’s Guide to do this - and ask the buyer questions to make sure you are buying the right car.