Advantages and Disadvantages

Auctions can be the best places to source a car - see the full list of auction sites in our Directories section on Honest John here. After all, unless its a 'classic car auction' aimed at the public, the cars there should sell for the trade prices the market puts on them on the day. Auctions, especially 'classic car auctions', are also a lion's den for the naive and unwary. Remember, from a seller's point of view, auctions provide quick sales with no comebacks.

In the old days it was common for traders to buy a car either in the trade or at auction, strip all the good bits off (tyres, battery, up-graded stereo, etc.), replace them with duff bits, then put the car back through the auction. This still happens and the more luxurious the car the worse it can be. Often it's the little things, like good electric mirrors swapped for u/s bits. Occasionally, big things like a good engine and transmission or a good diff are swapped for a bad one. And, of course, if a car is coming up for a £2,000 service, it will be put through the auction before rather than after.