1991 Old Top Gear - Car Auctions

Quentin Willson looks at the pros and cons of buying a car at auction

[@matthewvwuk]

Back in the 1990's I used to really look forward to watching Top Gear on then BBC2 analogue television. Quentin Willson always gave good sound advice when buying second hand cars, not only from car auctions but privately & car dealers as well. He had a quick & sharp wit & always to the point if not rather dead pan & dry in his humour! Good old VHS quality but you got those fuzzy lines if you didn't clean your VCR's heads! Thank you for posting.

[@michaelhawthorne8696]

I rate Quentin's take on a cars description as the holy grail. He is sharp and to the point and I believe every word he says. Also he's every bit as quick witted as Jeremy Clarckson, I wish he could get back into this line of work preferably on Top Gear, shake that lot up a bit. I have to say, how did we cope with VHS, crap video quality but thanks for the post.

[@samr1321]

A bit nostalgic, isn't it?

[@aquastudio2001]

Yeah, Quentin and Jeremy both have lots of things in common. Their rather stylish and flourishing essay-like descriptions that just fly over my head. Meanwhile, here where I live in Canada, I got to cope with commentators or news anchors talking at a 5th grade level... shame. Yes the so-called ‘comparisons’ I tried to make don’t quite go together, but still, I am trying to make a point. Really do favour much of good ol’ British commentating shenanigans in these car review vids, or Top Gear, in general.

[@pmrose18]

you might want to check his past misdemeanors with car mileage clocking

[@jamescurran1375]

The rusty hyundai did pretty well Lasted another 3 years

[@RWL2012]

a little bit of blue smoke is OK, haha before cats!

[@anthonyperkins7556]

Excessive blue smoke means you should walk away, it's either a worn engine or oil-burner or means the turbo is blown and would be costly to rebuild or get a new engine for.

[@00kirbyd]

07.15... the wheel is spinning faster than the car is travelling.

[@energymc22]

It's because the car is rear wheel drive and automatic, if the floor surface is slippery enough like this painted concrete the engine overpowers the rear brakes and you get wheelspin at idle. Also happens when in Drive and stopped on snow or ice.

[@energymc22]

Thugman Preston 7:12

[@p1fly]

Lol

[@TheBadBunny87]

I'm just commenting to see if you're still alive 9 years after this comment was posted

[@bombadilian]

That E30 at the start would be worth a fair bit now in that condition!

[@lanehogger1532]

Not much has changed then. Today BCA auctions full of ex rental Vauxhall’s.

[@nicnak4475]

indemnity £25 quid ? those were the days ! now called buyers premium and more like £600 + VAT at BCA and also as far as checking the vehicles out BCA we found out to didn't always do this to my dealer mates cost !

[@PeaveyPV20]

Love these old top gear episodes, stuff them goons in the grand tour

[@user-sf7kl9uh7k]

Ex Rentals often turn out to be oil burners, and are even known to offer up a spun bearing or two by their 5th birthdays.

[@howey935]

My brother bought a Volvo XC90 from an auction. It had been a mobility car so it was 3 years old had a full service history and only had 13k miles on it and he only paid £8450 for it.

[@justsumguy2u]

You can't even legally drive an auction car home here in the States. Here, the license plate is registered to the driver, not the car---all cars are sold without a plate.

[@64bakes]

Shame about the 190 Cossie, but am sure it lived to see another day.

[@killapakiz786]

That phone bigger then his head

[@kobo7600]

Your VHS needs needs its heads cleaned 📼

[@TheBadBunny87]

We all need our heads cleaned

[@assmannewzealand]

7:14 When you're Australian

[@Brad-lt6mr]

I used to buy the old ruins and Friday flip in Autotrader.

[@MSJChem]

3:55 is he pressure washing the interior?

[@TheBadBunny87]

Looks like cleaning the sills. Could be steam, but sure does look like he's pressure washing the interior 😂

[@Juzu607]

Oh I want that 205! Damage or not

Juuso Maunula cracking little cars, 1.9 was great but even the 1.6 was a great laugh

[@matthewvwuk]

Tough that is what I say! I very much doubt it is still on the road now, be very surprised if it is!

[@raselahmed7611]

hey ,if anyone else wants to discover car auction list try *Pyzork Amazing Auction Professor* (just google it ) ? Ive heard some unbelievable things about it and my friend got amazing success with it.

[@bernardtharme838]

Talks a load of bollocks.

[@matthewvwuk]

No you do as you are only jealous & you fully know it! It is common sense & help for any would-be car buyer from car auctions.