Getting A Good Vehicle Deal At Auction

If you are within the market for a used vehicle, then you’ve probably at least thought about going to a car auction. You can get very good deals at an auction, even though they are intimidating at times. What is the best way to get a great deal at a vehicle auction?

The basics of automobile auctions

Auto auctions generally happen at the very same time or place as other auctions. The highest bidder for a car gets the vehicle that is on the block. If you purchase a automobile at auction, you probably won't get a written or implied warranty. Most often, you'll find cars in one of three categories at auction. First are private owners or dealerships offering their cars on auction sites such as eBay. Any surplus autos – from federal and state agencies – are generally offered for sale. Creditors may also auction off impounded or repossessed vehicles. Auto auctions are accessible both online or in person.

In-person car auctions

An in-person car auction has many benefits. Usually, a vehicle auction will open for “viewing” an hour or two before the auction begins, and you’ll have a chance to really take a close look at the cars available for bidding. If you need to go to an auction, keep a close eye on newspaper listings or Craigslist. Register for a bidding number at the auction, and make certain you’ve automobile financing ready to go. Check out reports from AutoCheck or Carfax on your mobile phone to get a basic report on the fitness of particular vehicles. You’ll be expected to pay for any bid you win right away. Most often, the seller will provide both the title and licensing info. The auction site will typically give you between 2 and 24 hours to remove the auto from the site.

Auctioning cars online

An online vehicle auction is, in some ways, comparable to an in-person auction. The cars are still sold in as-is condition, and you'll have to register to bid. However, online auto auctions do not usually give you the chance to look into the vehicle before you buy it. If you are dealing with an auction site like eBay, you might be able to ask the sellers specific questions or ask them to take certain pictures of the vehicle. Online auctions are used to auction off government surplus as well. In these cases, the item you are bidding on is a lot more unknown – you can't really check it out. Beware of any phrases like "mechanics' special" that tip you off to difficulties.”