Trust in the condition and description of a vehicle is key to both buyers and sellers. BCA use the NAMA Vehicle Grading Scheme which makes the true condition of a vehicle visible and transparent.

Our goal is for every car offered for sale by BCA, whether online, in the auction hall, or via any other sales channel including any vehicles located 'offsite' will be 'condition graded' accurately, truthfully and objectively. For buyers, this means optimum confidence in buying stock from BCA. For vendors, the benefit is consistent appraisal of vehicle condition in advance of remarketing.

Download BCA Vehicle Grading Quick Reference Guide - CARS

Download BCA Vehicle Grading Quick reference guide - LCVs

Vehicle Appraisal

The vehicles we offer come from known sources and their condition is graded. Most of the vehicles offered have a condition grade between 1 and 5 or unclassified. Cars have two separate grading systems depending on if they have been appraised or not. For further information relating to each grade select the vehicle type that interests you. The purpose of the appraisal is to identify and describe any interior and exterior defects on a vehicle; based on the severity of these defects the vehicle will be given a BCA grade. This is not a mechanical check.

Vehicles are checked using a standard viewing angle (SVA) at 2 metres, at 90 and 45 degrees - and not a bodyline check. Defects will be recorded, and significant defects will be imaged if visible in normal daylight. As part of the appraisal process we will provide images to support defects of significance, however, where a panel has a number of defects we may only record and image the most severe defect.  When assessing grades and appraisals, please satisfy yourself that you are content with the grading of vehicles and what the grading criteria refers to. Please note the individual Kipper view is there for guidance only and should be used in conjunction with written and photographic material when assessing a vehicle grade (please see the grading definitions below).

Car grading explained:

Grade 1:
The vehicle may have minor interior and exterior defects that require SMART repairs, i.e. minor scratches or dents and minor replacement parts could also be required.

Grade 2:
The vehicle may require repairs as Grade 1 plus up to 1 major or minor bodyshop repair. The replacement of more significant internal or external trim parts (excluding panels) may also be required.

Grade 3:
The vehicle may require repairs as Grade 1 & 2 plus may include up to 5 minor bodyshop repairs, 3 major bodyshop repairs or a combination of major and minor repairs. The vehicle may include a single replacement bumper.

Grade 4:
The vehicle may require repairs as Grade 1, 2 & 3. It may have a combination of major and minor repairs and could include a non-structural replacement panel.

Grade 5:
The vehicle may require repairs as Grade 1, 2, 3 & 4. It may have a combination of major and minor repairs, or the vehicle may have sustained collision damage and the replacement up to two structural panels may be required (providing there is no other damage on the vehicle).

Unclassified:
Vehicles in this grade are simply uneconomical to appraise and fall into one of the following categories.

•     Substantial Accident damage
•     Major Parts Missing
•     Recorded items that exceed the criteria of Grade 5
•     Multiple unrecorded items

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Buying light commercials at BCA has never been easier or safer now that we’ve introduced, on the majority of vehicles, a detailed video appraisal showing the vehicle from all angles. So in addition to our BCA Assured mechanical report, you can now also rely on a video to give an even clearer picture of the vehicle’s condition, specification and configuration.  BCA Video Appraisals gives you a 360 degree video of the exterior and interior for each vehicle plus multiple still images with zoom feature.  This makes it even easier for you to buy with confidence particularly when buying online.

To supplement the imaging, a summary BCA Live Online Grade will be applied to give a basic summary of the vehicle's condition. Please note, BCA Live Online gradings for LCVs will differ from car standards, as the industry generally accepts that, by their nature, commercial vehicles are more susceptible to wear and tear.

The following grades are therefore only to be used as a general guide based upon each vehicle's condition commensurate with its age, mileage and usage. (*See footnotes for BCA definition)

Grade 1:
Light Commercial Vehicles that are in well above average condition.

Grade 2:
Light Commercial Vehicles that are in above average condition.

Grade 3:
Light Commercial Vehicles that are in average condition.

Grade 4:
Light Commercial Vehicles that are in below average condition and show some signs of excessive wear and tear.

Grade 5:
Light Commercial Vehicles are well below average condition. This grade category is the lowest condition banding available to describe any vehicle offered for Live Online at BCA. Therefore these vehicles will show signs of severe abuse either on the bodywork, interior, or both.

Commensurate with age, mileage and usage means BCA will grade light commercial vehicles with an allowance for its age, mileage or usage. For example, it is expected that a 4-year-old LCV with 80,000 miles will have some minor scuffs, wear to fittings, panel damage and soiling to load areas.

This would be deemed to be in average condition and therefore a Grade 3. However if the same condition vehicle was just 2 years old it is likely to be graded as a Grade 4, and if just 1 year old a Grade 5. Similarly, it is expected that the bodywork condition of tippers, dropside trucks and box vans show much heavier wear than the same vehicles cab panel condition.

BCA will do their utmost to capture all defects on the appraisal, but if any are missed, BCA will only entertain complaints where a re-examination reveals the grade to have changed.

Grade 1:
The vehicle is in excellent condition, with only minor defects in panel surfaces that do not require conventional body or paintwork. Limited quality repairs may have been performed.

Notes: Vehicles in a condition for retail sale, requiring no remedial work to body panels, paintwork, upholstery or screen. No items or parts missing. Typical bikes, once subjected to a professional valet/mop, will be suitable for sale to a retail customer.

Grade 2:
The vehicle is better than average for its year and mileage. With only minor chips or scratches in panel surfaces that may require minor conventional body and paintwork or paint dent repair.

Notes: Vehicles that would be Grade 1 if some limited minor body/cold metal repairs were carried out, i.e. minor stone chips that would be small enough to repair via a touch in process, scratches to farings, guards etc that could be repaired via localised painting. Dents, e.g. to front guards, that have not broken or creased the paintwork and could be removed via cold metal repair. This does not include fuel tanks.

Grade 3:
The vehicle has normal wear and tear, e.g. small scratches chips/ or minor broken parts. It may require minor conventional body and paintwork or replacement of minor parts.

Notes: Vehicles with up to two 2 panels that require body shop repairs e.g. scratches/scuffs through to base or primer, and dents that will not cold metal repair. Unsatisfactory repairs/re-sprays that would require re-finish.

Grade 4:
The vehicle shows signs of excessive wear and tear. The panels or shrouds may have dents, scratches and panels that require replacement. Parts may be broken or missing.

Notes: Vehicles that require three or more panels to have body shop repairs.

Grade 5:
The vehicle shows signs of severe abuse, or has sustained major RTA damage.

Notes: Any vehicle that has a total loss marker on it will be a grade 5.

Any fuel tank damage will result in a grading of Grade 3 at best.
Please note these grades are given as a result of an exterior assessment, not a mechanical examination.

R = runner
NR = non-runner

BCA will do their utmost to capture all defects on the appraisal, but if any are missed, BCA will only entertain complaints where a re-examination reveals the grade to have changed.

Customer Notice:

Please note BCA now uses an “Image Only” appraisal for cars over 10 years old. The image set includes a view from all 4 angles together with condition grade enabling online buyers to make a quicker visual appraisal of the car and replaces the standard BCA condition report.

Specialist and high value vehicles will continue to be appraised in the normal manner. We will continue to provide a condition grade which will reflect the cosmetic condition of the vehicle and will enable buyers to make an informed bidding decision in real time. If you have any further enquiries regarding a particular vehicle, please contact the selling location.

Please note: BCA will do their upmost to capture all defects on the standard BCA condition report, but if any are missed, BCA will only accept any claims where a re-examination reveals the grade to have changed.