Should I be suspicious?

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
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Fri 21 Jan 2005 18:54
Should I be suspicious? - Chris M
I'm planning to buy a Punto for my wife and I've been looking on BCA Auctionview for a while. Not that many of the right age/spec appear and when they have, I can't get to Blackbushe. One caught my eye that went through for the second time today - but as luck would have it, I couldn't be there. Looking on Auctionview this evening it's going round again next week and I may be able to make it!
Why would it go round three times? Didn't make the reserve? Red key missing? Boy racer body kit?
Should I be suspicious? Popular cars don't normally go round that many times - do they?

Chris M
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Fri 21 Jan 2005 19:33
Should I be suspicious? - mfarrow
My advice would be not to go near it. It has obviously got something majorly wrong with it for it to go this many times round the auction. Might be as you've described, or something more serious like a nackered engine.
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Fri 21 Jan 2005 20:47
Should I be suspicious? - Schnitzel
I have often seen cars go round a few times, I think the auction man pretends they have been sold, as when I look around the room noone even looks interested, let alone bidding, it would look bad and create a doomed atmosphere, if he got no bids, so I think he pretends and gets it out the door.
Often there just aren't many people there, certainly not enough to buy every car that goes through. Sometimes I think half the people in there are just unemployed chavs looking to keep warm and have a bit of entertainment.
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Fri 21 Jan 2005 20:51
Should I be suspicious? - spikeyhead {p}
It's quite normal for a car to go through the block three times. The reserve usually gets reduced the third time through.
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I read often, only post occasionally
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Sat 22 Jan 2005 07:54
Should I be suspicious? - L'escargot
Be suspicious of any used car. When you get them home, none of them are as good as you thought they were!
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L\'escargot by name, but not by nature.
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Sat 22 Jan 2005 10:28
Should I be suspicious? - nortones2
That applies to new ones also, but with more angst on discovery!
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Sat 22 Jan 2005 11:03
Should I be suspicious? - Chris M
Thanks for the replies. I may pay Blackbushe a visit as I'll never know what I missed unless I see it for myself.
I've never bought brand new and never bought from a dealer. In 25 years eight have been from auction, four direct from a company and a couple of private buys. Agree that once you get them home you can find things you missed when looking, but I've never felt I made a bad buy. Fingers crossed it will stay that way! My philosophy is the time to have doubts is before you make your decision, not afterwards!

Chris M
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