Top Tips for Selling Your Vauxhall at Auction

After a few years of relying on your Vauxhall to get you from work to home to the supermarket and back, you’ve decided it’s time to move on and upgrade to a newer vehicle. You may even decide to buy another Vauxhall, since it’s been such a reliable and trustworthy car. For now your main concern is selling your current car and making sure you get the best price for it.

There are a number of options to choose from. You could list it online, call the local newspaper and place and ad, contact your friends and family to see whether or not they want a vehicle, or you could sell it at an auction. Never considered using an auction? Here's the pros, cons and insights.

Selling Your Vauxhall at Auction

Selling a car at an auction isn’t like selling it to an individual person. It's better because you have a buffer between you and the buyer: the auction house. When the car is purchased, you can expect a quick payment without any hassles or surprises. In order to accomplish this, there are a few things you should consider.

• Clean it- A waxed and polished vehicle is going to draw the eye and encourage bids. If your Vauxhall looks as if it hasn’t seen a bath in ages, wash it. While you’re at it, remove any litter/rubbish from the interior and vacuum the seats thoroughly. A little bit of elbow grease can mean more attention from bidders.

• Make Repairs- Is the timing belt slipping? Does the coolant temperature sensor need replaced? When was the last time you checked common car parts like brake hoses, spark plugs, or cabin filters? An auction isn’t like a regular sale. Buyers can’t test drive the vehicle; they have to rely on what you say and the paperwork you present. If you want the highest bid possible, put some effort into making sure the bidders are happy. Replace any failing or non-functioning Vauxhall parts, take care of the scheduled maintenance, and bring along the paperwork to show your hard work.

• Don’t Bid- Worrying about whether or not the bidders will reach your reserve price, or the price that must be bid in order for the car to sell, is normal. Don’t take chances by bidding on your own car, though; this could backfire. Trust that by repairing necessary car parts and making the car presentable you can attract the right buyers.

• Bring the Paperwork- Even a winning bid won’t help you if you don’t have all the necessary paperwork in order for the auction house. Most buyers will want to see that you have everything in advance, and the auction house will want to ensure you are selling a vehicle that actually belongs to you. Plan ahead and call for a list of documents you might need before the auction.

Car Parts, Paperwork, and Cleanliness; You’re Ready to Sell!

Whether you’re selling your Vauxhall at a small auction house or a popular one like British Car Auction (BCA,) you have the opportunity to get the price you want for your vehicle. Just make sure it’s presentable, any necessary car parts are repaired, and you have the paperwork you need in hand.