I'm a first time buyer and I must admit, I have no clue when it comes to cars whatsoever. I went to burchmores a couple of times and I must say the cars were pretty much affordable. Bt I would like to find out from anyone who has bought a car from an auction if those cars are reliable? And the other thing, does mileage really matter cause I often hear people going on about the fact that when you buy a used car, the mileage should be less than 100k. Please help
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Burchmores
- Thread starter Skhokho
- Start date
marco79
Expert Member
When buying from an auction house make sure to find out what prthe auctioneers fees are. You could possibly add 10 - 15% to the value of the vehicle. And don't forget the tax. Check whether tax is included in the price.
SWB
Well-Known Member
My old man bought a 2005 VW T5 2.5TDI Kombi at Burchmores in CT 2 years ago. I think he paid somewhere around R125 000 and retail now is about R155 ~ R160 000. No problems so far. Kombi had just over 200 000 km on the clock when he bought it.
Inn3rs3lf
Expert Member
From 100 000+, there will be wear and tear, and things will start to go wrong. Every car is different though. Some cars, like my dad's old Camry did 768 000km on the same motor. That is 100% fact. Would have gone further if i didn't write it off 
Toyota's in general are excellent cars that can easily manage a few 100 000km's. I have also heard good things about Honda.
But getting back to your question, I would buy from a reputable dealer that you could maybe get a warranty of some type through them. Also, their cars would be properly looked after. They are all given the full once over by the staff when buying them. Good deals can be had at auctions, but I have also heard of horror stories.
My advice, go to a proper dealer and have a look there.
Toyota's in general are excellent cars that can easily manage a few 100 000km's. I have also heard good things about Honda.
But getting back to your question, I would buy from a reputable dealer that you could maybe get a warranty of some type through them. Also, their cars would be properly looked after. They are all given the full once over by the staff when buying them. Good deals can be had at auctions, but I have also heard of horror stories.
My advice, go to a proper dealer and have a look there.
How the car was looked after is more important than the actual mileage. A bakkie that's done 300 000km with most of it on the daily commute in the city will likely be in better condition than one with 100 000 that's spent its life on a farm or mine. Also, those people are full of ****. Usually cars with less than 100 000km on the clock are still pretty expensive.
Fazda
Honorary Master
Please note that Auctioneers are the only business that can sell a car "Voetstoets", so you have absolutely no CPA protection if you have a problem.
If you still want to go that route, please take an experienced buyer, plus someoine who knows something mechanically about cars, otherwise you can get yourself horribly burnt.
If you still want to go that route, please take an experienced buyer, plus someoine who knows something mechanically about cars, otherwise you can get yourself horribly burnt.
MrMocs
Senior Member
From 100 000+, there will be wear and tear, and things will start to go wrong. Every car is different though. Some cars, like my dad's old Camry did 768 000km on the same motor. That is 100% fact. Would have gone further if i didn't write it off
Toyota's in general are excellent cars that can easily manage a few 100 000km's. I have also heard good things about Honda.
But getting back to your question, I would buy from a reputable dealer that you could maybe get a warranty of some type through them. Also, their cars would be properly looked after. They are all given the full once over by the staff when buying them. Good deals can be had at auctions, but I have also heard of horror stories.
My advice, go to a proper dealer and have a look there.
I would say the best advice go to a used car dealer or look at autotrader there are plenty of dealers there
Good advice.
Another thing you can do is analyse the risk, if you see a good deal think what would it cost to replace that engine/gearbox etc if it's fubar, if you add that to the price and it's still a good deal I see no reason not to go for it.
I still remember this young laaitie that went to auction but took a family mechanic with, a non runner Golf VR6 came up and he got it for almost free. His mechanic told him before bidding that all it needs is a new starter motor, alternator & relay which was a cheap fix. The kid was cruising around in the car the next day.
You need to know cars or have a friend that knows when you buy at auction.
Be very very careful I had a bad experience at Burchmores Durban. We purchased a vehicle that turned out to be stolen. I was given the run around a little in the beginning with every excuse in the book.
Only after getting senior management ( and contacts ) involved did they sort the matter out. All is well that ends well and I got all the money back but It has left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Worst part of it all was that they offered a spare vehicle while the sorted the mess out, then we I requested a refund they gave me a cheque. So i stated that its fine I will return the vehilce once the cheque clears.
The manager then threatened to call the police and claim the vehicle was stolen as I would not return it until the cheque had cleared ( as I said from the beginning ). Lucky I had contacts to validate that even of he did this it would not be legally possible.
But as I said all is well that ends well, good luck its a lottery but the odds must be in your favour.
Only after getting senior management ( and contacts ) involved did they sort the matter out. All is well that ends well and I got all the money back but It has left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Worst part of it all was that they offered a spare vehicle while the sorted the mess out, then we I requested a refund they gave me a cheque. So i stated that its fine I will return the vehilce once the cheque clears.
The manager then threatened to call the police and claim the vehicle was stolen as I would not return it until the cheque had cleared ( as I said from the beginning ). Lucky I had contacts to validate that even of he did this it would not be legally possible.
But as I said all is well that ends well, good luck its a lottery but the odds must be in your favour.