Car Salvage Yard Advice
Making Purchases from Used Car Auctions
Car auctions have been a popular way to sell vehicles and used car parts since the early 1970's and most large scrap yards use them to generate extra revenue. Yards will take badly damaged vehicles and recondition the parts so that they can be resold.
Since the introduction of the internet and in particular Ebay the face of auctions has changed significantly. Businesses and individuals of all types are now able to sell parts online and reach large target audiences. This means that prices are extremely competitive and the lack of regulations means opportunities for fraud and the trade of illegal parts is very easy.
When using Ebay there are a number of basic things to look out for. We have put together a list of things to look out for below.
- Read through the sellers feedback. Look for repeat buyers and order purchased all in a very limited time frame. This is usually deemed as suspicious. If anything looks out of the ordinary then avoid buying from them.
- If the price looks to good to be true then it often is and use extreme caution when making purchases of this type.
- If possible try and buy from an Ebay shop. These often have real online stores and its worth spending the time to do some back ground checks. In many cases people will give the shop a call.
- Look to see if full documentation and service history is provided with the parts.
- Make sure you are getting the right part number. Email the seller to check.
Traditional Auctions
Auctions take place up and down the country every week and are a great way to buy used cars and parts. This is because consumers actually get to see the parts and can ask questions to experts in the field.
For listings of all the major auctions please go to the official BCA website
Auction Tips
- With many auctions you can obtain a list of the items on offer which gives consumers the opportunity to do some back ground checks. Auto Check is a site that allows you to run checks on vehicles and is definately worth using if you are serious about making a purchase.
- Review the contract before you sign it. If a car takes longer to deliver than stated on the contract you can request your money back. Also check for the various clauses.
- Avoid getting caught in a bidding frenzy. Set a budget before you go and stick to it.
- Do your research. Make sure you know the true value of the items your bidding on.
