I think you hit the nail on the head. Those with running Scootacars are probably happy men and content to have one of the more usable but weird Microcars. There are some investors who would like to capitalise but the cars are as yet not presentable.
I did not look at the bidders but the clever money would attempt to contact the under bidder and cut out eBay and advertising for a cool sale under cover unless there were more than a couple of interested parties. In this market you get one clean chance to sell on the open market. There after you have been exposed to the market and either have to keep advertising with expecting a diminishing offer over time or change the product on offer in a manifest way to renew impact. Being a rare car it is less likely to get piggy back sales like an expensive Schmitt or Isetta. Also no one put another Scootacar against it which often happens with rare cars. Then neither sells or sells well.
They made 800 Mk1's. Perhaps 50 survive? (an estimate. anyone have any register info as to what's left?) Unlike a Peel they were used in period. Unlike a KR/Trienkel/Isetta some parts are hard work. But you can get round that with some ingenuity.
I'm surprised not one Scoot has come on the market. I know many Peel owners and none will sell. I was also told never sell a Scoot or Peel unless you have bought a better one first.
To me they bridge the gap between a Peel and a German micro. They're quite horrid in some ways but very endearing. Who would test drive a KR etc in '59 and buy a Scoot? So unrefined and the vibration is hard work. No front damping. But they are quite quick.
Perhaps some staunch Brits were determined to buy British. The brochure highlights this. Scoots are very heath robinson in some ways.
I do not expect a flush of Scoots to come on the market. I do expect the owners to keep them in slumber.
At the end of the day they are excellent weird machines. Hmm? a bag of money or a Scoot? I'll take the latter!
I must fix mine actually!
