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Auctions Simple rules apply here. Do your research. Decide on
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your budget. Stick to it. Auction houses offer a good range from the late year and tidy to the old and knackered. Thankfully there's usually little of the latter but if it doesn't sound healthy then give it a miss.
If you are adamant auction is the way to go, check out as many auction houses as you can first, try and follow the bidding, and see how competitive it gets.
Pick a vehicle, pick its price and see how it holds up. The trade guides, such as CAP and Glass's will give you an idea of its worth, but on the day demand might exceed supply and its price will go over the top.
Another day and supply will swamp demand and its price will barely raise a smile, let alone the reserve price. Reserve price is worth remembering as in theory your bid might be the highest, but that doesn't mean it's met the preordained figure the seller would like.
Here it's bought as seen. You can kick the tyres and hear the driver rev the nuts out of it as it goes under the hammer, otherwise you need to know exactly what you are looking for to get the right deal.
Eye contact with the auctioneer is preferable although grisly veterans can orchestrate a hotly disputed bidding contest using their right eyebrow while smoking a fag, drinking a cup of tea and studying the form on the 2.15 at Ratan Bargains are available but more experienced punters with more financial clout will be looking for the same bargains too. The VS should be in attendance, and most won't have an MoT. If you are buying always take trade plates to get it home.