Buying at auction

Forgot to mention government vehicle 50Kms not at a mine

This is the way to go, with most vehicles still under warrenty, and accessorosed up, you save heaps...the new 4bs dont rust like older ones did, and all gov dept vehicles are well serviced....best advice is to go to the viewing and look at as many 03 patrols to get a good feel for whats normal and what could mean accident damage, things like the radiator, bonnet area...
Lastly, a mate picked up a td6 st with 80kms for 29k....and that was private....so good hunting
Andrew

The condition of the vehicles will vary between departments depending on the work environment , and can vary within a department depending on use , driver , and accidents . Ask around for how different departments rate . In NSW , Parks was bad , medical services good . The departmental vehicle manager will attend the auction . Ask the auctioneer to point him out and introduce yourself . The managers are happy to recommend specific vehicles to private buyers because they know that fleet buyers have , on occasions , colluded to keep prices low . Having a managers recommendation can get around the problem of other buyers tampering with the vehicle during the inspection phase [ squirting on an instant oil leak is popular] . As Footloose said , attend a couple of auction and get a feel for values and bidding techniques . Spot the fleet dealers and learn from them . I once saw a millionaire dealer from Tamworth bid on 8 cars at auction and not buy one , and he went home smiling . At the same auction , two private buyers got into a bidding duel and the winner paid about 30% too much . At practice auctions , check out vehicles passed in and get a feel for reserve prices . Some vehicles will end up passed in even after being knocked down as sold . Passed in vehicles will often sell at the reserve price rather than be rescheduled for the next auction .