metcars

Pre internet days there used to be some 'huge' buyers at Manheim Colchester (when it was NCA they used a helipad) but I don't see those sorts of buyers buying those volumes any more. I'm guessing that they don't have to limit themselves to one site?

It's not that bad up north is it! And, yes I'd agree about the Skoda, I wouldn't want to have to sell too many 17yr old vehicles. I know plenty of 'del boys' and none would travel 250 miles to view an unknown car with an intention to buy. They may have done that 30yrs ago but personally I don't find a huge price variation that would cover the cost/time of travelling those distances regularly unless its something really unique performance/exotic? In fairness plenty of 'carrot crunchers' come to London to buy up Chelsea tractors on the cheap, so it all balances out

This. Since that time it's interesting to see how high st banks have dedicated so much time and effort to try and become 'your friend' again. Some of the TV ads are comical?

What are 'Londoners' travelling 250 miles to buy from you?

East London

Yeah, I can't explain why, I just feel there could be something in the old thing. We'll see

That's an interesting point about direct debit for VED being cancelled if the MOT fails?

Yeah, you can read it like that. Expires on 25th could mean no longer valid on that day? How can we go definitive?

Certainly here in the 'big smoke' they are. And Astra 3dr.

100k 1.4 some history

OK, settle down I know it's hilarious, but not many auto estates on AT to gauge a value?

Thanks, that's what I thought

If the expiry date of an MOT is for example the 25th, is the MOT still current until midnight on that day, or does the MOT expire at midnight on the 24th?

plus hair and stale make up smell

Snap, I found one yesterday. Use it in supermarket trolley!

Buried inside a mess of crayons and melted 'Haribo' could be a 10p

Never look under the back seat!

They're getting few and far between https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=vauxhall+firenza+&commit=Search

BCA Leeds?

To be fair I was referring to the general auction price madness over the last 6 months rather than the usual seasonal peaks and troughs. But your point is a good one.

I'm having to buy less than quality and polish the profit into them. Personally, I got fed up with chasing the little nuggets of gold and paying way over for them. My current buying strategy is to be more open minded about taking on a little 'project' at the right price. A bit of paint or a clutch is not a deal breaker as long as it comes at the right price. You'll also notice there's less competition as everyone wants the car with no work, especially chancers/privates. When the world returns to normal and every car is a peach and under book then I'll be back on them again. Just my opinion.

I wondered if it was a case of quality p/x's just don't exist period. I've recently started using my BCA account after a lapse. The journey from blue to gold is a painful expensive one.

I often hear of guys that source stock direct from main dealers; they paint a lovely picture. But, it can only be a matter of time before main dealers who sell off their p/x's direct get to hear about the prices that are being made at auction?

..... and what's surprising is that it's proper traders that are buying at these prices, not newbies? Makes you wonder what they're doing with them that they can make any money. I was at BCA Paddock Wood for the first time in years and was disappointed by the lack of quality stock. Years ago they got 'quality' p/x cars, clearly no longer!

Funnily enough, did you know. The founder of Lotus cars (Colin Chapman), was buying and selling cars part time while studying for his engineering degree at London University. He had about a dozen cars 'in stock' when the government decided to remove the private petrol ration and wiped him out, apart from one car which he couldn't shift and which he decided to modify for trials, which led to bigger things