Buying from an auction?

[Sruffy]

Hi all

Has anyone ever bought a bike from an auction before. If so what should I look out for when inspecting a bike?

Thanks

[hongman]

I went with my mate who bought a car at auction. Got done over good and proper.

It was a Megane, with the engine management light on. Cheeky *******s has stuck a bit of tape over the light, so he didnt even notice it til he got it home.

All I can say is, if you're having to ask, take someone along with you who you trust...

[Speaky69]

we have bought 2 cars and 3 bikes from auctions, 3 were all fine and dandy, used and then sold on for profit, the other 2 were listed as non runners but we got them anyway... Turns out the auctioneers son is a car/bike dealer... They took the immobiliser chip out of the key for the car (went for something like £800 for a 2004 ford Galaxy :D and they took the battery out of the rocket we bought!

Just ask yourself WHY is it at the auction and not being sold in a garage!!!

[timwilky]

It is usually worth while going to an auction a few times before you are ready to buy.

That way you know what the prices are, start to recognise the usual faces so you know who the dealers are.

Nothing worse than Joe Public in his enthusiasm ramping up the prices, once the dealers have stopped bidding. You know the price has gone too far.

As for buying a pup, Going to a few before, you start to also recognise the same stuff. If it is in a few auctions you know, it is a pup and been shoved back in for another mug.

When you are finally ready to buy, get there early, see what is on offer, take a notebook with you, record make, model/colour/reg and what your max bid will be. and don't get carried away thinking it is only an extra 20 over your max bid or suddenly the bargain has disappeared. Once you get to max bid. STOP

[Owenski]

It is usually worth while going to an auction a few times before you are ready to buy

That way you know what the prices are, start to recognise the usual faces so you know who the dealers are.

Nothing worse than Joe Public in his enthusiasm ramping up the prices, once the dealers have stopped bidding. You know the price has gone too far.

As for buying a pup, Going to a few before, you start to also recognise the same stuff. If it is in a few auctions you know, it is a pup and been shoved back in for another mug.

When you are finally ready to buy, get there early, see what is on offer, take a notebook with you, record make, model/colour/reg and what your max bid will be. and don't get carried away thinking it is only an extra 20 over your max bid or suddenly the bargain has disappeared. Once you get to max bid. STOP

I did exactly that, for those 2 reasons.

Did a little home work/scouting etc then decided what warrented a bargin, factored in £150 for minor repair costs then. 3 weeks after first attending I left with a 1995 Honda Accord Estate for £210 steal of the year!

Do you homework and stick to your guns,
try get close to them riding the bike into the auction and see if you can listen to the engine for knocks etc
good idea to be stood by it when they start it up
Watch for the movement in the forks/rear mud guard to make sure the suspensions not shot.
If you can get your hands on it before the auction then do the usual stuff, headstock, damping, wheel bearings, get a look at the brake pads etc to see if they're about to / already have been worn down.
If its stollen recovered, look to see how gentley it was retained, ie was it smashed up / dropped by checking the fairing alignment in relation to the frame.

Other than that, good luck :) and turn up with a bivi can of gas, cos you can be certain the auction house will have drained the tank!

[Speaky69]

Oh, and dont forget the auctioneers premium, 5% down our way, PLUS VAT!!
all well and good bidding up to 2000 but when you add the 5% THEN 17.5% it all adds up to quite alot!!

[Owenski]

oh yeah lol, check if the auction house has an indeminty premium.
I think that includes the premium mentioned about buy mine came out as £110 plus VAT
I paid over half the cost of the car in bloody fee's - that came as a bit more than a shock for me lol.

[Sruffy]

Thanks guys I think the general consensus is that if it can't be sold by a dealer its in the auction. Maybe not such a good idea :(

[Owenski]

not true,
especaially at this time in financial history.

Many many reclaim vehicles are passing through auctions,
a dealer will only buy if he can get a decent enough return on something so even bidding against a dealer you can get your self a bargin. They wont pursue a car/bike thats only going to make them £100 or so where as to you thats £100 saved.