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Buying from Auction

You can pick up a bargain at an auction but auctions are probably the riskiest way of buying a used car. You need to know what you are doing – go as a spectator first and see what happens.

If you don't know much about cars, take someone with you who does. Decide the maximum you can afford and stick to it. The entry form attached to the windscreen will give you an idea of the car's history.

Your usual legal rights (see 'buying from a dealer') may not apply if the seller issues a disclaimer, such as the term 'sold as seen', which excludes all or some of those rights. Read the auctioneer's conditions of business carefully to check whether this is the case.

Information courtesy of The Office of Fair Trading