im thinking about getting a xantia diesal from a car auction, can anyone on here give some pointers, eg what to look out for?, what to not do & what to do?, good points, bad points, any experence of others going to them, ETC ETC......
dom <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
car auctions
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Alan White
- Posts: 15
- Joined: 15 Sep 2002, 23:42
Shaun - never been to an auction but I do know that many traders avoid Xantias like the plague so if there are any there you won't have a problem bidding. They are dirt cheap on the non Citroen forecourts too - the dealers can't get rid of them so you will be able to haggle the asking price down quite a lot.
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Doc
- Posts: 150
- Joined: 30 Dec 2002, 04:11
Shaun, if you do decide to buy at auction go along a few times to get the feel of the place.
A lot of taxi firms use Xantia Turbo diesels so make sure you are not bidding on a clocked hack that has done a quarter of a million miles.
I have seen Xantia's that have done 180,000 miles plus and still looked quite respectable from the outside. The only obvious signs were worn drivers seat bolster, shiny steering wheel, drivers door that opened too easily with no resistance from the check strap and a seat belt that didn't retract properly when pulled and released.
Another thing to look out for is a drivers sun visor that feels floppy. Remember that a taxi driver lives in his/her car so all components and trim start to suffer.
A favourite trick of owner-drivers is to drive around on the original speedo for a time then put in a replacement, then put back the original low mileage speedo when selling and before any MOT's are due. This is sometimes done for VAT/tax reasons and IS illegal.
Don't inspect ANY car in the rain or when wet and look carefully for repaired/filled holes in the dashboard/rear bumpers where the taxi license plates and radio gear were mounted. There are companies that specialise in repairing damaged plastic trim and bumpers so if you can inspect a car before auction look very carefully at the trim. Obviously be aware that a previous owner could have replaced entire bits of trim.
Try to see car start and see if it raises on its suspension without too long a delay and without excess clicks or groaning sounds from the pump and associated bits.
Unless you are buying sold unseen, a decent auction house will allow a hour or so to check vehicle and test drive it (make sure you are insured) AFTER you have bought it. If car turns out to have major faults, you will be refunded. Obviously a sold unseen vehicle will be a risk purchase.
During the auction, the auctioneer will read out brief details of the car i.e. history and whether there is any outstanding warranty/mot etc. Most fleet cars that are disposed of through auction have full service histories and I would be inclined to buy one of these instead of a cheaper car with no history.
Avoid bad colours like white or non metallics like dark blue. The trade nickname it Doom Blue as ANY make of car in this colour is unloved. Poor colours lose money when you come to re sell car, but at the end of the day if you want a car to run into the ground years from now then colour doesn't really matter.
Hope this helps and good luck car hunting.
Doc
A lot of taxi firms use Xantia Turbo diesels so make sure you are not bidding on a clocked hack that has done a quarter of a million miles.
I have seen Xantia's that have done 180,000 miles plus and still looked quite respectable from the outside. The only obvious signs were worn drivers seat bolster, shiny steering wheel, drivers door that opened too easily with no resistance from the check strap and a seat belt that didn't retract properly when pulled and released.
Another thing to look out for is a drivers sun visor that feels floppy. Remember that a taxi driver lives in his/her car so all components and trim start to suffer.
A favourite trick of owner-drivers is to drive around on the original speedo for a time then put in a replacement, then put back the original low mileage speedo when selling and before any MOT's are due. This is sometimes done for VAT/tax reasons and IS illegal.
Don't inspect ANY car in the rain or when wet and look carefully for repaired/filled holes in the dashboard/rear bumpers where the taxi license plates and radio gear were mounted. There are companies that specialise in repairing damaged plastic trim and bumpers so if you can inspect a car before auction look very carefully at the trim. Obviously be aware that a previous owner could have replaced entire bits of trim.
Try to see car start and see if it raises on its suspension without too long a delay and without excess clicks or groaning sounds from the pump and associated bits.
Unless you are buying sold unseen, a decent auction house will allow a hour or so to check vehicle and test drive it (make sure you are insured) AFTER you have bought it. If car turns out to have major faults, you will be refunded. Obviously a sold unseen vehicle will be a risk purchase.
During the auction, the auctioneer will read out brief details of the car i.e. history and whether there is any outstanding warranty/mot etc. Most fleet cars that are disposed of through auction have full service histories and I would be inclined to buy one of these instead of a cheaper car with no history.
Avoid bad colours like white or non metallics like dark blue. The trade nickname it Doom Blue as ANY make of car in this colour is unloved. Poor colours lose money when you come to re sell car, but at the end of the day if you want a car to run into the ground years from now then colour doesn't really matter.
Hope this helps and good luck car hunting.
Doc
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timbo
- Posts: 40
- Joined: 09 Jan 2003, 01:54
got mine from a auction last summer,take your time,chose a good auction,se what they go for first,try to veiw in the day time and pick a sale that has more than one xantia,then fix your limit and dont go above it,you my have to return several times for the same car.
cars from main dealers if they dont reach thair reserve will keep going through each week but eventually the man reprsenting the dealer will be there with his clip board, number crunching,so you can pick up a bargain when he's there.
Good Luck
I would say it's no more risky than buying private or from a small dealer,and much more fun.
cars from main dealers if they dont reach thair reserve will keep going through each week but eventually the man reprsenting the dealer will be there with his clip board, number crunching,so you can pick up a bargain when he's there.
Good Luck
I would say it's no more risky than buying private or from a small dealer,and much more fun.
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vanny
- Posts: 767
- Joined: 16 May 2002, 21:08
- x 1
Are there special auctions for totalled remains of cars? Id like to get hold of something with a HDi engine and the front intact (drive shafts, struts arms etc) in order to replace the engine in my currently dieing BX. Yep i know it will be a little expensive and difficult transfer, but do these engines/destroyed cars ever get sold. As it stands im probably gonna get a 1.7TD to replace the 1.9NA D i have, sometime next month.
Any ideas on finding the remains of a HDi?
Vanny
Merseyside, UK
[email protected]
http://www.bxproject.co.uk
Any ideas on finding the remains of a HDi?
Vanny
Merseyside, UK
[email protected]
http://www.bxproject.co.uk
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RichardW
- Forum Treasurer
- Posts: 12507
- Joined: 07 Aug 2002, 17:12
- x 1456
Vanny,
There was an article in Car Mechanics a couple of months ago about salvage auctions. I'll look it out and post the list of sites.
HDi SHOULD fit in a BX - it's basically the same block AFAIK Might need some adjustment to the bulkhead to shoehorn it in. Biggest problems would be the hydraulic clutch and cable operated gear change. Will certainly be an interesting project!
Richard
There was an article in Car Mechanics a couple of months ago about salvage auctions. I'll look it out and post the list of sites.
HDi SHOULD fit in a BX - it's basically the same block AFAIK Might need some adjustment to the bulkhead to shoehorn it in. Biggest problems would be the hydraulic clutch and cable operated gear change. Will certainly be an interesting project!
Richard
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FFX-DM
- Posts: 111
- Joined: 22 Oct 2002, 21:45
somebody over on honest John's forum (www.honestjohn.co.uk) was discussing how much they could get for their N Reg Xantia. It's in the Discussion area. The description seemed okay, so perhaps you should look in there?
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adrianeaton
- Posts: 152
- Joined: 06 Mar 2001, 17:57
Vanny
If you're interested in salvage auctions take a look here:
http//www.dhales.co.uk
They have a lot of stuff going through every week and a friend on mine is registered so if you want something let me know and he can put a bid in for you up to an agreed maximum.
Contact me off list if interested, you should have my e-mail address?
Adrian
If you're interested in salvage auctions take a look here:
http//www.dhales.co.uk
They have a lot of stuff going through every week and a friend on mine is registered so if you want something let me know and he can put a bid in for you up to an agreed maximum.
Contact me off list if interested, you should have my e-mail address?
Adrian
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adrianeaton
- Posts: 152
- Joined: 06 Mar 2001, 17:57
D'oh! Don't know what I've done to the link above, so take a look at www.dhales.co.uk for anything interesting!
Adrian
Adrian