Buying a Model S at UK auction

[DrDre]

OK, so here's a question... Would any of you consider buying a used Model S from an auction such as BCA or Manheim?

The reason I ask is that pricing of used cars seems to be based on picking a number at random and hoping for the best. Example: 2016 MS private seller on Autotrader for £43k. Offer for the same car on a popular car buying site (owned by BCA) - less than £35k! So the car buying site needs to make a couple of grand and the seller needs to make a couple of grand, fair enough. But over £8k difference? That seems excessive.

There are obviously savings to be had by buying at auction but do the risks outweigh the benefits? The main downside I see is figuring out which options are fitted and which aren't.

PS - if anyone is thinking of selling their 2016 face-lift MS and don't want the hassle of advertising it then please let me know!

 

[DJP31]

I wouldn’t for lots of reasons, but one of the main ones being what you touched on - the uncertainty of what you are bidding on. Despite the model line up being small there are so many permutations I wouldn’t feel confident the description of the car matched the features. AP1 or AP2, free Supercharging or not, air or coil suspension, has FSD been paid for etc etc, it’s a minefield.

Personally I would happily pay the peace of mind premium by buying from someone knowledgeable in the trade. The most highly thought of that I know of is Richard Symons R Symons Ltd

He’s quite close to you so only a short drive home in the new car .

There are a fair few cars that come up on the closed Tesla Owners Group FB page, certainly now the Model is getting closer. Richard as a Tesla owner/driver himself is a member of that group.

I’d touch base with him, let him know what your budget is and he’ll advise what that is likely to get. I’m sure he’ll have a list of potential customers and as well as selling cars he’s bought offers a SOR service for owners who perhaps are asking a little more than he can offer p/x.

I’ve not used him myself and have no connection but nothing other than good reports and feedback from what I’ve read.

 

[themetz]

How about this one. Still got remainder of 4yr warranty, relatively low mileage and in great condition. And probably open to sensible offers too... Tesla Model S 85D Autopilot, Free Supercharging & Tax, Air Suspension, Outstanding condition throughout! from R Symons Ltd

 

[WannabeOwner]

He’s quite close to you so only a short drive home in the new car

Could be regarded as a disadvantage

 

[DrDre]

I wouldn’t for lots of reasons, but one of the main ones being what you touched on - the uncertainty of what you are bidding on. Despite the model line up being small there are so many permutations I wouldn’t feel confident the description of the car matched the features. AP1 or AP2, free Supercharging or not, air or coil suspension, has FSD been paid for etc etc, it’s a minefield.

That's exactly what I'm thinking. Those options make such a difference on the value of the car. At auction there doesn't seem to be any way to verify what software enabled options a car has or doesn't have.

In certain cases AP1 or AP2 and supercharging could be determined through the registration date. Suspension would be easy enough to verify, but that's about it.

So who is buying these auction cars? Are they assuming that absolutely nothing is enabled and then anything else is a bonus??

 

[DrDre]

There are a fair few cars that come up on the closed Tesla Owners Group FB page, certainly now the Model is getting closer.

It's a shame you have to be an existing owner to be a member of the closed group. I'd always prefer to buy from a private seller if possible.

 

[jaitch]

There are some bargains to be had on the Tesla used site. Their dutch auction style pricing is interesting and novel. The price drops almost every day - and sometimes by large amounts. The Tesla used warranty is incredible peace of mind and so far for me any little issues have been dealt without any hassle at all.

 

[vitesse]

That's exactly what I'm thinking. Those options make such a difference on the value of the car. At auction there doesn't seem to be any way to verify what software enabled options a car has or doesn't have.

In certain cases AP1 or AP2 and supercharging could be determined through the registration date. Suspension would be easy enough to verify, but that's about it.

So who is buying these auction cars? Are they assuming that absolutely nothing is enabled and then anything else is a bonus??

Maybe Tesla would buy them for their CPO stock? I understand they unlock most of the features available and if course they have the means to refurbish them.

There are some other dealers besides RSymons that specialise in Tesla, though I've noticed these dealers frequently have stock without AP enabled. Enquired with one such dealer and was advised I didn't need AP. Right. Price wasn't competitive either!

 

[vitesse]

There are some bargains to be had on the Tesla used site. Their dutch auction style pricing is interesting and novel. The price drops almost every day - and sometimes by large amounts. The Tesla used warranty is incredible peace of mind and so far for me any little issues have been dealt without any hassle at all.

That's the way we went though I only realised that our particular car started out at £5.2K more than we paid thanks to tesla-info.com used inventory price tracking! There are a couple of minor issues with the car that I'm very confident will be sorted out by Tesla thanks to the warranty refresh.

 

[vitesse]

It's a shame you have to be an existing owner to be a member of the closed group. I'd always prefer to buy from a private seller if possible.

There is also the UK Tesla Owners Club on FB which is not so strict.