Just fpr the hell of it - no buying intentions - I went to a car auction near Chelmsford. I simply could not see who was bidding: no nods, no winks or any gestures from anyone, seemingly, yet the price went up and up until finally someone bought the car. Frrightened the carp out of me!
Ron.
I saw a TV programme years ago where they highlighted the "off the wall" bid as a common and accepted practice at car auctions. If you don't know what you're doing steer clear.!
I used to buy ex-police Senators at West Oxfordshire Motor Auctions, Witney; usually three years old, high mileage but well maintained, and lacking radios or other luxuries like aircon or electric windows, they cost between £2000 and £3000 each. There was a police car auction every other Thursday, probably still is. The motor bikes went for high prices, as did some police staff cars. The vans were auctioned first and outside, being too tall to drive through the auction building. All sale items were parked outside, locked, on auction day. Auction began at 6pm. Each sale car was driven into the auction building in catalogue order, and was auctioned. Some bidders would bring cash with them, free 24 hour insurance was available (Eagle Star?), and traders would turn up with spare drivers to take home their purchases. I bought an ex-police Omega 3.2 there, I've had it 12 years and still have it. It's now in Enfield, but it's rusty and I doubt it will pass MOT in July.