Some dealers pretend to be private sellers to avoid their legal obligations and to get rid of faulty or over-priced cars. They advertise in local newspapers and shop windows. We try and explain everything to know about the terminology used by advertisers. Buying from an Auction You can pick up a bargain at an auction but you need to know what you are doing. Go as a spectator first and see what happens.
Auctions are probably the riskiest way of buying a used car.
Your usual legal rights 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. 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.