Suggestions where to find the right A3?

[johnsnow]

Ive been looking for about a month now for a 05 facelift A3 2.0 TDI Sport/SE in any colour aoround the 7.5k mark. Ive been looking on:

Autotrader - seems good although not many on and asking prices vary wildly
Pistonheads - most seem priced right just slim on numbers for the spec im after or mostly down south (im in the NW area)
Ebay - Cat D's and generally b**gered from what I can make out

Im just wondering where else i should be looking? Suggestions much appreciated

 

[jameshughes1974]

does it have to be 05 facelift
I have a late 04 on 54 plate in the classifieds
its a sport -
and its a good one

 

[matt_white88]

You have a PM

 

[johnsnow]

Anyone bought from an auction? Any tips?

 

[FranA3]

Anyone bought from an auction? Any tips?

if your going to buy from auction just check the car over properly and that all the paperwork checks out properly the usual stuff when buying a car really and check where it has come from private seller/ motor trader etc...

 

[Sarah's A3]

We went to the auctions a bit back, at that time tbh they wernt much cheaper! As Fran said, check them out though!

 

[johnsnow]

if your going to buy from auction just check the car over properly and that all the paperwork checks out properly the usual stuff when buying a car really and check where it has come from private seller/ motor trader etc...

what should i be looking for in the paperwork?

 

[FranA3]

that all the vin numbers reg plate in the service book etc.. are all the same might also be worth checking if its not a insurance right off, not stolen, not on finance etc.. u can do this by hpi checking it it does cost a little bit cant remember off hand but its worth doing because you dont know the car history or on a tv addvert they say to put in a cars reg number and it tells you this

 

[vw754]

what should i be looking for in the paperwork?

cars at auction all get hpi checked by the auction,buy one which has 'sold with nmmr (no major mechanical defects) these cars are sold to you,then you have 1 hour test drive and if any major mechanical defects are found you get your money back !
All you got do is check the overall condition......only worth buying if its at least £500+ cheaper than elsewhere,(imo) otherwise buy private check vin and do hpi.Hope this helps.
What mileage ,3 or 5 door you after?

 

[Pii]

That's great advice vw754 and good to know for future reference.

 

[andykn]

what should i be looking for in the paperwork?

Don't forget that, at least at BCA, you have to pay some sort of indemnity fee and/or buyer's premium.

I got mine through Autotrader, from a Seat/Jaguar and one or two others main dealer chain so I got a proper main dealer warranty but didn't pay Audi Approved used prices.