The partnership between British Car Auctions (BCA) and the AA is giving auction buyers even more knowledge on vehicle condition ahead of making a bid.

BCA now includes a BCA Assured mechanical report carried out by the AA on the majority of cars under eight years old.

The check includes an onsite drive to test brakes, warning lights, tyre depths, engine noise, gearbox check, vehicle suspension and fluid levels. 

AA inspectors are based at BCA’s centres nationwide and reports are uploaded instantaneously into the BCA database so that they can be provided when the vehicle is catalogued for sale at BCA. 

The report appears in digital catalogues on the BCA website and a printed copy is available with the vehicle when it is sold. 

Cars less than eight years old and 120,000 miles are eligible to be sold with a BCA Assured report.  A wide range of vans and other light commercial vehicles for sale at BCA also come with a BCA Assured report.

Buyers have up to 48 hours or 500 miles to inform BCA if the vehicle they purchased does not match the BCA Assured report it was sold with.  BCA will then rectify faults on any vehicles that are misreported and in extreme circumstances provide a full refund.

“We know that buyers want to find the best deal and having more information will help them choose the best possible vehicle,” said Tim Naylor, editor of the BCA Used Car Market Report. 

“BCA offers thousands of cars and commercials every week and this partnership with the AA means buyers can make more informed decisions about what car will suit their needs.”