Buy Car Auctions

Tips for Attending an Auto Auction

Be ready to bid on the internet and in person prior to bidding at an auction. Benefit from your next car auction by following these useful tips.

Explore Your Options

You'll be able to get the best bargain if you spend some time to research prior to an auction. It is important to know the amount certain models of vehicles are typically sold in the marketplace. This will serve as an object against which you can evaluate the effectiveness of each offer.

Spend your money in a plan.

Find out in advance what you can spend and what kinds of cars are within your price range. Include tax and registration costs in your budget estimations so that you don't have to pay for them later. Also, provide yourself with enough time for the payment.

Have a companion along

A knowledgeable partner can be valuable when you're taking a look at cars at auction. An experienced companion can help you to understand the state of the vehicle and could spot issues you did not notice.

Make sure to check out the car

Do not make an offer on a car prior to having the chance to inspect it and find out for yourself if there are any significant issues that need to be fixed or parts that require replacement. Get a glimpse of the car, inquire whether there are any maintenance requirements and if you feel that there's something wrong then take a mechanic with you before you make an offer.

Buy Car Auctions

Frequently Asked Questions

Public auctions provide no warranties or guarantees. Banks, on average, have the best inventory at the best prices. According to Edmunds, these are the vehicles to look for at public auction. They are usually repossessed cars and trucks that the lender simply needs to sell for a profit in order to make up for losses.

GREEN LIGHT: Indicates that the vehicle is subject to the auction's arbitration provisions. Any vehicle selling for $3,000 or less is sold AS-IS and cannot be arbitrated for any reason other than an odometer or title discrepancy, regardless of the light.

Most of the vehicles auctioned are government surplus vehicles. This happens when different government agencies purchase new vehicles, and they need to dispose of the old ones. Other vehicles in these auctions are also government-seized vehicles that have been confiscated for various reasons.