You can always ask the vendor to do a pest inspection{ I have been to several auctions and the pest report was available}. When I have bought at auction no one at the auction ever knew I was interested until I bid as I use my soiliitor to access all papers etc etc and he could do a pest inspection if I wanted one. That way the agents at the auction wont be standing next to you to let the auctioneer klnow you are hot for the property.
On the termite issue I have heard of a couple who paid $2.2 mill for a sydney property at auction only to find out it was riddled with termites.
