Daylight

They do, I'm sure we've all seen it at the physical auctions. As soon as any Audi gets near the hall, the eastern european fellas are all over it mob-handed and paying strong money for them. I think, unless you know the value of every car in every international marketplace, you can't underestimate it's value to some. I used to have an export guy for France that would take any 05 onwards VAG rubbish, regardless of miles, marker or faults. Always for way more than they'd make in the block or on ebay

Absolutely, i think that when I see smug looking tw@ts driving their PCP'd Audi's. Your car is nice looking but 3 payments buys and runs mine for 2 years I hear that if you're after something specific, I'm not though. I'll just keep any eye out for anything lightly damaged that fits the bill and take a punt. Same with ebay/facebook etc but less likely facebook as every motor I see on there is absolute dross being sold by a shifty trader pretending to be a private seller

Thanks I’ll take a look That was my hunch too. The marker doesn’t bother me at all, I’m just looking for something with light damage to bolt on replacement parts or a minor paint repairs. Basically bangernomics, my trusty mk5 Golf GT Tdi I gave £500 off dealer auction 3yrs ago has done its duty and ready for a new owner (abroad). Thanks

Afternoon all, I have never looked at, or even considered Copart for sourcing stock previously. I'm still not, however i'm thinking about a replacement daily knocker for myself. It goes without saying I don't care about any potential car being on the register, it won't be a high value, just a big old diesel estate most likely. I had no knowledge of their selling process, but I have followed a few sales recently online to get to grips with the bidding system. I guess my main question is, what should I avoid? At BCA we know what UKCGR cars are and also Multi Vendor, any tips to spot such cars with Copart? Should anything Unrecorded be avoided? I assume the engine will likely be held in with cable ties etc? Do people bid in person at salvage auctions? (not at the moment obviously) Feel free to PM if you'd rather not share publicly Thanks

Why is this even a consideration? PART of his heated rear screen isn't working on a 5 year old car you sold 2 months ago! That has absolutely no impact on the CRA or you as a dealer. That could never be argued to make the car not fit for purpose. With regards to the fault I'd tell him to whistle as it's not even a fault, more a scratch as you'd expect on a 5 year old car except it's unusually inside the rear window from loading or a removed sticker as stated. If you don't want his part ex then reverse the deal to suit yourself minus mileage & extra owner then go again with the Pug. That way you get rid of the open top skip & can sell the good car again to someone with a brain.

Precisely. It is, or certainly feels like, a very 'us & them' situation. The clause of 'not been mechanically checked in our workshop' seems to be justification for not even giving the engine bay a cursory glance. What do they do their appraisal reports on, the back of a stamp? I'm sure if it was a px in their manufacturer group in age range for the plot they would check it over pretty well on appraisal why would everything else not be the same? The best sellers are those that appraise & detail a 25yr old shitter like they do a year old car. Show me the stone chips & minor mirror scuff on that 300k 2002 Passat TDi! I think let's make a single thread for good and bad then it has balance and saves the witch hunt, also allows good and bad experiences of the same vendor in case it was a one off rogue. Some examples of current auctions can be used for discussion too, then we can go to DA and tell them how to improve their service and of course they'll listen to us and the world will be a better place ... maybe ... I'm off to do just that now, see you all in the members lounge shortly

Another vote for self warranty, we use A1 Approved Warranties (note the subtle difference to Betginge's supplier who we used to use but now don't for very good reasons, PM me if you're nosy). 3 months and £300-500 claim limit depending on the car included in the screen price. Costs £124 per car with £100 going in to the pot and just £24 to administer the claim should it happen. After 3 months A1 offer to sell the client the remainder to make it a 12 month overall but as the contract is with them it takes the heat off you standing by the car for 12 months because "you sold me the warranty". The pot is then yours to be flexible on should you have a screamer after a short period, stops the temptation of dipping into it when you see a bargain at auction too! Mark is the man at A1 give me a shout if you want his number, all stationary is free too.

I was going to suggest a good and a naughty list thread for DA sellers so we can try to save a tiny bit of sanity dealing with our "fellow car industry professionals" in the main dealers. I recently travelled a long way for an old RAV4 based on the superb description and photos, I was so confident I could have just paid the money & driven off. Everything was listed, even a correct guess on the EML fault! On the contrary I bought a Transit again from miles away, I just asked the selling dealer if it was smoky at idle or any oil contamination before I travel and was met with "It's an auction mate". The price wasn't in question but surely checking the basics of correct fluids in correct holes shouldn't be too big an ask . After I verbally leant on him a bit he tucked his tail between his legs and checked for me, I travelled with confidence and drove the van away Some of the photos & descriptions (if they can be bothered to write one) are a joke, they deserve to keep those cars until the end of time

Ask Tom Hartley

It seems that every man and his one-eyed dog think they can make a fortune selling cars. It's easy! Let me just tell you, it's f*cking not! Example; A mate text me today asking if I deal in bikes as well as cars, no is the answer to that. Apparently he's found a new bike but the dealer want to give him £800-1000 less than what his is worth in p/x. "All they need to do is wash it and put it on the forecourt for a grand more than they're giving him" he tells me The general public haven't got a clue what it costs to run a business, especially one in this trade. They see an easy couple of grand in every car clear profit without any hassle or stress, all year round, no problem. If i had my time again I wouldn't be getting in to this game, that isn't to put you off because we're worried about you being our competition, that's doing you a bloody big favour. Do what you like, but don't think it's all roses fella

Whilst you're waiting you can advise them to apply for their own finance with various brokers that advertise on tv. Obviously you can't do the introduction until you're FCA approved. Some brokers will work still work with unauthorised companies

SVA is now IVA. Despite the name change it is still a test carried out by the most jobsworth, anally retentive men available at the DVLA. The sole purpose is to try to wind you up enough that you'll be forced into violence against said human being. They're fun, have a try

I've done quite a few. What I will say is either go down the route as suggested from Lawgistics above and act as a legal agent then the CRA doesn't apply (won't stop the angry customer knocking on your door though) or take enough money out of the deal that you can back it up should you need to

@Jon What's your background? Why have you decided to get into selling cars? Do you have all your legal & financial obligations in place? Do you understand the CRA 2015? Do you know how much you need to make in this every week/month/year to make this venture viable? Answer those questions and we may be able to help more

Not an option unfortunately, she only works up the road from my pitch anyway. I suppose I could take her on the back of the bike, that's taxed (£7a month) I'm pretty sure the quick ride and the messed up hair would make that a one time fix though No sorry, you may have to get your own passenger seat technician she's booked up for the foreseeable future Intermittent slow starting from warm is my go to should I need it

This. If I have my mrs as passenger in a car on trade plates taking her to work on occasion, I'm also testing the vehicle for a potential underlying fault before sale. Very grey area surely?

They have set territories don't they? When I called them up initially they told me which rep covered my area, I doubt they can step on each other's toes

Cheers i'll talk to my rep about it when he's round this week, not that he knows much his products! G101 is so good, I use it for pretty much everything Highstyle for engine bays too

Not sure how many of you guys use them, we have done in the past as the paperwork is often easier than some or if the customer has already propped themselves with them we convert to us for the commission. Just received an email to say they're no longer paying commissions due to FCA compliance apparently. This is going to massively affect their dealer referral business surely? What's your thoughts?

Talk to me about Tango and Midnight chaps please. I'm a recent convert to Autosmart stuff and loving their work so far. I may be needing to use the Aromatek from them soon on a motor I've just bought that the owner has spilt a bucket of maggots in when going fishing

Saab 9-3 1.9 Tid Aero wagon I got "given" by a client when the DPF caught fire. She's a trooper but plagued with electrical gremlins at the moment, driving with the ECU relay permanently bridge out currently

I was just comparing prices of E220Cdi Mercs on AT as we've just bought one into stock with 75k on the clock. There's one with 485k for sale if anyone wants it?! edit- here she is: http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201612020291215?radius=1500&aggregatedTrim=E220%20CDI&postcode=rh11bf&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&make=MERCEDES-BENZ&sort=price-asc&advertising-location=at_cars&model=E%20CLASS&page=2

When i worked for Merc we used to get a fleet of private hire cars come. Regularly we'd see 3 year old ones with over 300k on the clock. The things would never get cold, the drivers just swapped out at the end of their shift. Also saw a Passat 1.9tdi for sale with 422k on the clock recently. Got offered an MR2 of all things last week with 350k on it, wish I'd bought it now for giggles

The same as Rory but slightly different! I use A1 Approved Warranties Ltd (not to be confused with the above or A1 Approved Ltd!). Mark Peacock is the man, excellent to deal with. They work with you and will happily play the good cop or bad cop for you depending on the situation. We put money in the pot, they answer the phone to the customer if something goes wrong and liase with the garage on your behalf. Best decision I ever made to go away from Warrantywise! Give me shout if you'd like info on them too

Definitely a better seller in 5 door mode, can make a very economical small family car for some people. Sold them up to 99k on the clock without issue for the right price. Not had any C1's but Aygo and 107 have been pretty good news for us. Never tried a yellow one, i hate yellow cars!