Mercedes 450SL Automatic 1978

The following Terms and Conditions (Terms), together with such other terms, conditions and notices as may be set out in any relevant catalogue apply to all sales by Essex Classic Car Auctions (ECCA) at auction or within 14 days after the auction.
No alteration to the Terms will be binding unless accepted by ECCA in writing. The Terms are subject to amendment by ECCA provided it is reasonable for it do so by the posting of notices or by oral announcement made by the Auctioneer prior to or during the sale. Nothing in the Terms shall affect the statutory rights of a consumer.
Additional information applicable to the Auction may be set out in the Catalogue for the Sale, in an insert in the Catalogue and/or in a notice displayed at the Auctions and you should read them as well. Announcements affecting the Auction may also be given out orally before and during the Auction without prior written notice. You should be alert to this possibility of changes especially if bidding by telephone and ask in advance of bidding if there have been any.
ECCA acts solely for and in the interests of the Seller. ECCA’s job is to sell the Lot at the highest price obtainable at the Auction to a Buyer. ECCA does not act for Buyers in this role and does not give advice to Buyers. When ECCA (or its employees) makes statements about a Lot, it is on behalf of the Seller of the Lot. Buyers who are themselves not expert in the Lots are strongly advised to seek and obtain independent advice on the Lots and their value before bidding for them.

DEFINITIONS
1. In these Terms:
1.1 “Auction” means the auction sale in respect of which a Lot is consigned for sale.
1.2 “Auctioneer” means the representative of ECCA conducting the Auction.
1.3 “Buyer” means the only person whose bid is accepted by ECCA to conclude the contract for the purchase of a Lot.
1.4 “Buyer’s Premium” means the amount payable by the Buyer to ECCA equal to 5%+VAT of the Hammer Price.
1.5 “Catalogue” the catalogue relating to the relevant Auction includes any advertisement, brochure, estimate, price list or other publication or webpage relating to one or more Lots.
1.6 “Contract” means the agreement to be completed by the Seller relating to the proposed sale of each separate Lot at the Auction.
1.7 “Entry Fee” means the sum of £100 (exclusive of VAT), payable by the Seller for each motor vehicle entered into the Auction.
1.8 “Expenses” in relation to the sale of any Lot means ECCA’s charges and expenses payable by the Seller in addition to the Seller’s Commission including insurance, storage, illustrations, auction Entry Fee, cleaning costs, photography costs, catalogue costs, special advertising, packing and freight of that Lot and any VAT thereon.
1.9 “Hammer Price” means the price in pounds sterling at which a Lot is knocked down (sold) by the Auctioneer to the Buyer.
1.10 “Lot” means any item(s) consigned to ECCA with the view to its sale at Auction.
1.11 “Motor Vehicle” means any motor vehicle included, or proposed to be included, in a sale of motor vehicles.
1.12 “Purchase Price” means the Hammer Price together with the Buyer’s Premium and any additional charges due plus VAT.
1.13 “Reserve” means the minimum Hammer Price agreed between ECCA and the Seller at which a Lot may be sold.
1.14 “Sale Proceeds” means the net amount due to the Seller being the Hammer Price less the Seller’s Commission and VAT, Expenses and any other amount due to ECCA from the Seller.
1.15 “Seller” means the person who offers the Lot for sale, whether as agent or principal.
1.16 “Seller’s Commission” shall have the meaning given in clause 10.
1.17 “VAT” means Value Added Tax applicable at the prevailing rate from time to time.
1.18 “Working Day” means any day (other than a Saturday and Sunday) at which clearing banks in the city of London are open for the transaction of normal sterling banking business.
2. Agent
ECCA sells as agent for the Seller (except where ECCA is selling as principal, which ECCA will disclose in the Catalogue or otherwise in the Auction). The Contract for the sale of a Lot is between the Seller and the Buyer. ECCA shall not be liable for any act or default by the Seller (except where selling as principal) or the Buyer.
3. Discretion
3.1 ECCA has the right as its sole discretion to refuse any bid, to divide any Lot, to combine two or more Lots, to withdraw any Lot and, in the case of dispute, to put any Lot up for Auction again.
3.2 If ECCA is notified about the Seller’s alleged breach of any of the Terms before it has remitted the Sale Proceeds to the Seller, it may (at its sole discretion) withhold payment until that dispute is resolved. ECCA may, however, deduct any sums that are due to it from the sum held.
4. Loss or injury
ECCA shall be under no liability for any injury, damage or loss sustained by any person while on ECCA’s premises (including any premises where a sale may be conducted or where a Lot, or part of a Lot, may be on view from time to time) except for death or personal injury, damage or loss caused by the negligence of or other breach of duty by ECCA, its employees or agents in the ordinary course of their duties to ECCA.
5. Lots
5.1 The Catalogue contains details about each Lot. The description printed in the Catalogue is given on behalf of the Seller and may contain ECCA’s opinion about the Lot but in any event is not a contractual representation or warranty by ECCA.
5.2 Photographs, illustrations and diagrams contained in the Catalogue are for identification purposes only. They may not show the true condition and colour (which may be inaccurately reproduced) of the Lot.
5.3 Lots are available for inspection prior to the Sale and it is for any potential bidder to satisfy themselves as to each and every aspect of a Lot, including its authorship, condition, provenance, history, background, authenticity, style, period, age, suitability, quality, roadworthiness (if relevant), origin, value and estimated selling price (including the Hammer Price).
5.4 Each Lot is sold by its respective Seller to the Buyer. Lots are sold to the Buyer on an “as is” basis, with all faults and imperfections.
5.5 The actual condition of a Lot may not be as good as that appears by its outward appearance. In particular, parts may have been replaced or renewed and Lots may not be authentic, or of satisfactory quality. The inside of a Lot may not be visible and may be either not original or damaged, i.e. where it is covered by upholstery or material. Given the age of many Lots they may have been damaged and/or repaired and you should not assume that a Lot is in good condition.
5.6 Any person who physically interferes with, scratches or damages the Lot in any way (at, during, before or after the Auction) will be held liable for the loss so caused.
5.7 The Seller is responsible for delivering the Lot in a presentable and saleable condition. If additional cleaning is required it will be charged for by ECCA to the Seller as an Expense.
5.8 If a Lot is not sold at Auction, ECCA will, for the next 14 days, be entitled exclusively to negotiate a sale of the Lot on terms agreed with the Seller and as Seller’s agent and if successful, be entitled to charge the Seller’s Commission and Expenses.
5.9.1 The Seller gives ECCA the full and absolute right to photograph and illustrate any Lot placed in its possession for sale and to use such photographs and illustrations as are provided by the Seller at any time at its absolute discretion (whether or not in connection with the Auction), with indemnity against copyright infringement.
5.9.2 The copyright in all written matter and illustrations relating to Lots shall remain at all times the absolute property of ECCA and any person wishing to use such materials, or any part of them, may only do so with the prior written consent of ECCA.
6. Alterations and Estimates
6.1 Estimates and descriptions may be amended at ECCA’s discretion from time to time by notice given orally, or in writing before, or during an Auction.
6.2 The Lot is available for inspection and any potential bidder must form their own opinion in relation to it. You are strongly advised to examine any Lot, or have it examined by a specialist or engineer on your behalf, before the Auction.
6.3 ECCA gives no warranty or representation as to the anticipated or likely selling price of any Lot. Any estimate given, whether written or oral and whether or not printed in any Catalogue, as to the estimated selling price of any Lot is a statement of opinion only and may be subject to revision from time to time at ECCA’s sole discretion and should not be relied upon as an indication of the actual selling price.
6.4 ECCA shall not be liable to the Seller for any error or misstatement in, or omission from the description of any lot in any Catalogue where ECCA has:

6.4.1 been provided with such description by the Seller or any person on his behalf; or
6.4.2 provided the Seller with a copy of such description prior to publication of the Catalogue and neither the Seller nor any person on his behalf has notified ECCA in writing within 7 days of any error or misstatement in or omission from the description.

6.5 ECCA has no duty to the Seller or the Buyer to investigate the accuracy of the description of any Lot provided by or on behalf of the Seller.
7. Warranty by the Seller
7.1 The Seller warrants to the Buyer and to ECCA that:
7.1.1 The Seller is the owner of the Lot, or is properly authorised to sell the Lot by the owner and is able to sell the Lot with full title guaranteed free from all encumbrances and third party claims and, in particular, that there is no outstanding finance affecting the Lot. If the car is subject to finance the amount outstanding must be confirmed prior to consignment and sale.
7.1.2 The description of the Lot in the Catalogue is to the best of the Seller’s knowledge accurate and not misleading. The Seller has notified (or will before the Auction notify) ECCA in writing of any material alterations to the Lot of which the Seller is aware and of any concerns expressed by third parties in relation to the authenticity, provenance, origin, age, condition or quality of the Lot and has provided ECCA with all such information in the Seller’s possession or control.
7.1.3 If the Lot is a road-going motor vehicle, it may lawfully be used on the public road and complies with all statutory provisions and that there is in force a test certificate required by law in relation to such use. Alternatively, the Seller has notified ECCA in writing that the motor vehicle may not lawfully be used on the public road.
7.1.4 The Seller shall compensate ECCA and the Buyer in full for all losses, expenses and other costs which are caused by the Seller’s breach of any obligation of the Seller under the Terms.
7.1.5 Where the vehicle is not registered in the UK, the seller shall be responsible for completing the NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrivals) application within 14 days of the car arriving in the UK and before the vehicle arrives at the auction for sale.
8. Vehicle Registration Numbers
8.1 If the Seller wishes to sell the motor vehicle but to retain the right to the registration number of the motor vehicle, it is the Seller’s Responsibility to notify ECCA in writing.
8.2 It shall be the Seller’s responsibility to take all necessary steps to ensure that the current vehicle registration number is retained and that a new number is allocated prior to the motor vehicle being sold at the Auction.
9. Bidding and Reserves
9.1 Admission to the Auction requires the purchase of a Catalogue which must be presented at the entrance to the Auction. ECCA do not accept bids from any person who has not completed and submitted the required Registration Form. Proof of identification will be required in the form of a passport or driver’s licence, together with a recent utility bill showing your current address, before the registration process can be completed.
9.2 The Auctioneer will commence and advance the bidding at levels and in increments he considers appropriate and is entitled to place a bid or series of bids on behalf of the Seller, up to the Reserve on the Lot.
9.3 The Seller may place a Reserve on any Lot when he consigns it to the Auction and once placed it may not be changed without the written consent of ECCA. All Lots will be sold without Reserve unless a Reserve has been agreed by ECCA in writing.
9.4 Where a Reserve has been agreed, only ECCA at its absolute discretion may bid on behalf of the Seller.
9.5 If no Reserve has been placed on a Lot, ECCA shall in no way be held liable should the Lot be purchased for a price below any lowest estimated selling price of the Lot given in any Catalogue.
9.6 ECCA may sell a Lot below the Reserve agreed with the Seller, provided that ECCA accounts to the Seller for the same Sale Proceeds as the Seller would have received had the Lot been sold at that Reserve.
10. Commission and Expenses
10.1 ECCA shall be entitled to deduct from the Hammer Price and retain an amount equal to 5% of the Hammer Price or such other sum agreed by ECCA in writing (Seller’s Commission) plus VAT together with Expenses and any other sums due from the Seller to ECCA.
10.2 The Seller acknowledges ECCA’s right to retain the Buyer’s Premium payable by the Buyer.
11. Insurance
11.1 Only on payment of the Purchase Price in cleared funds shall title in the Lot pass from the Seller to the Buyer. However, the risk in the Lot passes to the Buyer on the fall of the hammer. It is therefore, the responsibility of the Seller to insure the Lot before the hammer falls and the responsibility of the Buyer to insure the Lot after the hammer falls.
11.2 ECCA will not be responsible for any damage to or the loss or destruction of a Lot unless caused by the negligence of or other breach of duty by ECCA, its employees or agents in the ordinary course of their duties to ECCA and the Seller shall compensate ECCA in full in respect of all other claims and proceedings brought against ECCA in respect of any loss or damage to or destruction of the Lot.
11.3 ECCA will not be liable for any injury, loss or damage caused by any Lot or by the Seller’s negligence of ECCA, its employees or agents in the ordinary course of their duties to ECCA. The Seller shall compensate ECCA in full in respect of all claims and proceedings brought against ECCA in respect of injury, loss or damage caused by any Lot or by the Seller’s negligence or breach of any obligation under the Terms.
12. Payment of Sale Proceeds
12.1 Subject to ECCA’s right of retention under Clause 3.2 and other provisions of this Clause 12, ECCA shall pay the Sale Proceeds to the Seller not later than 14 Working Days after the Auction, provided that the Purchase Price has been received in full by ECCA. Unless an alternative method of payment has been agreed by ECCA in writing, payment shall be made by Bank transfer. In the event of an unsettled hire purchase, finance agreement or any other charge or lien affecting the Lot, ECCA reserves the right to settle the amount due of such charges not exceeding the Sale Proceeds and if the Sale Proceeds are less than the charges outstanding the Seller will be responsible for the settlement of the balance forthwith.
12.2 If the Purchase Price has not been received in full by ECCA within the time specified in clause 12.1, ECCA will pay the Sale Proceeds to the Seller within seven Working Days from when the Purchase Price is received in cleared funds from the Buyer.
12.3 In respect of road-registered motor vehicles, ECCA reserves the right not to remit the Sale Proceeds to the Seller unless the Seller has deposited with ECCA the registration document of the motor vehicle and any other documents relating to the motor vehicle in the Seller’s possession or control which he agreed with ECCA to supply.
12.4 If the Buyer fails to pay the Purchase Price within 28 days of the Auction, ECCA will notify the Seller who may instruct ECCA as to the appropriate course of action. ECCA may endeavour to assist the Seller but ECCA shall be under no obligation to do so and shall not be under any obligation to institute proceedings in its own name.
12.5 In the absence of any written instructions from the Seller to ECCA within 7 days of ECCA having notified the Seller under clause 12.4, ECCA shall be entitled to take any of the actions set out in clause 19.
12.6 Any monies recovered by and paid to ECCA in consequences of ECCA taking one or more of the steps referred to in clause 19 shall be applied to the payment of:

12.6.1 legal or other costs incurred by ECCA in connection with such steps.
12.6.2 expenses.
12.6.3 the Buyer’s Premium and the Seller’s Commission on the sale of the Lot.
12.6.4 any balance remaining shall be paid to ECCA to the Seller (or, if appropriate, the Buyer). If there shall be a shortfall any such shortfall shall be made good by the Seller to ECCA on demand.

12.7 If within 7 days after receipt of the notice referred to in clause 12.5 the Seller informs ECCA that he wishes re-delivery of the Lot, he shall be entitled to do so but only upon prior payment of all Expenses and all legal and other costs reasonably incurred by ECCA so as to keep ECCA fully recompensed.
13. Withdrawal Fees
13.1 The Seller may not withdraw the Lot from the Auction. If ECCA is unable to sell the Lot at the Auction due to action or interference by the Seller, the Seller shall be liable to pay ECCA 10% of the estimated value of the Lot plus VAT thereon together with Expenses. The estimated value shall be the mid value estimated in the Catalogue.
14. Removal and Storage
14.1 The Seller shall arrange for the removal of any unsold Lot by the end of the day of the Auction or by such other time as agreed by ECCA.
14.2 Failure to remove any unsold Lot pursuant to clause 14.1 above will entitle ECCA to charge the Seller a removal charge, storage fees, insurance and other expenses and any costs incurred at the following rates:

Removal – £195 plus VAT
Storage – £10 per day plus VAT

15. The Buyer
15.1 The Buyer shall be the highest bidder at the Hammer Price. Any dispute as to any bid shall be settled by the Auctioneer at his absolute discretion.
15.2 Every bidder shall be deemed to act as principal, unless prior to the commencement of the Auction there is a written acceptance by ECCA that a bidder acts on behalf of his principal and the true identity of the principal is noted on the registration form.
16. Buyer’s Premium
The Buyer shall pay the Buyer’s Premium of 5% (+VAT) to ECCA and the Buyer acknowledges that ECCA may also receive the Seller’s Commission due to ECCA under Clause 10.
17. Payment
17.1 Once a lot is sold, the Purchase Price shall become immediately payable to ECCA.
17.2 Full payment for all Lots must be made to ECCA by 5:00pm on the day of the Auction. Payment can only be accepted in GBP. For security reasons, payments by Debit or Credit card (VISA/Mastercard) will only be accepted where the cardholder is present. Credit Card Payments are subject to a 2.0% surcharge. Where the Buyer wishes to pay by cheque and ECCA has agreed that the Buyer may do so, the Lot will not be released until the cheque has been cleared. In this instance, the buyer will be responsible for all removal and storage fees incurred.
17.3 No Lot may be collected until the Purchase Price has been received by ECCA and payments by a Buyer to ECCA may be applied by ECCA towards any such sums due from that Buyer to ECCA on any account whatsoever notwithstanding any directions to the contrary by the Buyer or his agent whether express or implied.
17.4 Title to the Lot will pass to the Buyer only when the Purchase Price in cleared funds has been received by ECCA.
17.5 Immediately a Lot is sold the risk shall pass to the Buyer notwithstanding that possession will not be given and title will not pass to the Buyer before payment of the Purchase Price and ECCA will not be responsible for any damage to or the loss or destruction of the Lot or any injury, loss or damage caused by the Lot unless caused by the negligence of or other breach of duty by ECCA, its employees or agents in the ordinary course of their duties to ECCA. The Buyer will compensate ECCA in full in respect of all claims and proceedings brought against ECCA in respect of any loss or damage to the Lot or injury, loss or damage caused by it not arising from the negligence of other breach of duty by ECCA its employees or agents in the ordinary course of their duties to ECCA.
17.6 The Buyer shall, at his own expense, remove the Lot purchased but not before payment in full to ECCA of the Purchase Price whether in respect of this or any other Lot.
18. Responsibility for Purchased Lots
18.1 The Buyer will be responsible for loss or damage to a Lot purchased by him from the fall of the hammer. Neither ECCA nor its employees or agents shall be responsible for any loss or damage unless caused by the negligence of ECCA, its employees or agents in the ordinary course of their duties to ECCA while the Lot is in ECCA’s custody or under its control.
18.2 The Buyer shall be responsible for all removals, insurance, storage and other charges on any Lot from the fall of the hammer (in accordance with Clause 11).
18.3 DVLA will be notified of the change of keeper within 5 working days following receipt of payment, using the details from invoice, unless otherwise stated.
19. Non-payment or Failure to Collect
19.1 If the Purchase Price is not paid in full, ECCA (as the agent of the Seller) shall in its absolute discretion and without prejudice to any other rights it may have, be entitled to exercise one or more of the following remedies:

19.1.1 to remove, store (either at ECCA’s premises or elsewhere) and insure the Lot at the expense of the Buyer;
19.1.2 to charge interest at a daily rate equal to 4% pa over Barclays Bank’s Base Rate on so much of the total amount due as remains unpaid after the date of and time referred to in clause 17.2;
19.1.3 to retain that and/or any Lot sold to the same Buyer at the same or any other auction of ECCA and to release it only after payment of the total amount due;
19.1.4 to apply any money due or to become due to the defaulting Buyer in or towards settlement of the total amount due and to exercise a charge or lien on any property of the Buyer which is in ECCA’s possession for any purpose.
19.1.5 take such steps as ECCA shall at its absolute discretion consider necessary to collect the monies due from the Buyer and to agree terms for the payment of the Purchase Price;
19.1.6 to rescind the sale and refund any monies to the Buyer, or to rescind the sale to the Buyer and to purchase the Lot itself. If it does so, property in the Lot shall pass to ECCA on its election and ECCA shall remit the Purchase Price to the Seller within 14 Working Days of its election less the Seller’s Commission, Expenses and sums due to ECCA which would have been payable had the contract not been rescinded;
19.1.7 to appoint a Solicitor and/or other agent to pursue any of the courses of action referred to in this clause 19 and the Seller hereby authorises ECCA to take any of the courses referred to in this clause, including the issue and prosecution of proceedings on the Seller’s behalf and to settle claims and/or proceedings made by, or against the Buyer on such terms as the Seller shall instruct or, in the absence of instructions, on such terms as ECCA shall at its absolute discretion think fit.

19.2 If the Buyer fails to make payment within 14 days after the date and time referred to in clause 17.2, ECCA shall at its absolute discretion and without prejudice to any other rights it may have, be entitled to re-sell the Lot, or cause it to be resold by public auction or private sale and if this results in a lower price being obtained, the defaulting Buyer shall then pay to ECCA any deficiency, together with re-sale costs and any costs incurred in connection with the Buyer’s failure to make payment and any surplus shall belong to the Seller.
19.3 If the Lot is not taken away on the date and time referred to in clause 17.2, whether or not the Purchase Price has been paid, ECCA shall remove, store (either at ECCA’s premises or elsewhere) and insure the Lot at the expense of the Buyer and only release the Lot after payment of the total amount due.
20. Liability of ECCA and the Seller
20.1 Buyers are solely responsible for ensuring that motor vehicles are safe for use, roadworthy (if a road-going vehicle) and comply with all relevant laws and regulations in force in all relevant jurisdictions and for ensuring that any necessary test certificates are in force. It is the responsibility of the Buyer to carry out such inspection as he thinks necessary.
20.2 In bidding for any Lot, the Buyer acknowledges that he does not rely on any representation made to him by ECCA, its employees or agents.
21. Governing Law
Any transactions to which the Terms apply shall be governed by English Law and the Courts of England shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle all disputes arising in connection with all aspects of all matters or transactions to which these Terms relate or apply.
22. Notices
22.1 Any shall be deemed to have been received:

22.1.1 if hand-delivered, at the time of delivery.
22.1.2 if sent by mail, two days after the date of posting.

22.2 In proving service by delivery:

22.2.1 by hand, it shall be necessary only to produce a receipt for the notice signed by or on behalf of the addressee.
22.2.2 by post, it shall be necessary only to prove that the notice was contained in a pre-paid envelope which was duly addressed and posted first class.

23. Data Protection
23.1 All information provided to ECCA will be treated confidentially and shall not be passed to third parties, except where necessary to complete a sale transaction.
23.2 ECCA reserves the right to pass on information when required by legislation, government authorities or the courts.
23.3 ECCA shall also have the right to use any personal information to notify you of further auctions and future events, unless you notify us that you do not consent to receive notifications of future events.