Cars At Auctions

Tips for Attending an Auto Auction

No matter if you are bidding online or face-to-face, it is always better to be prepared and educated prior to making bids at auctions. Benefit from your next auctions by following these suggestions.

Explore Your Options

Take the time to research prior to going to an auction to make sure that you receive the best price. Knowing the median price for various models of vehicles that are available for sale is a good idea. This is an object against which you can assess the competition of every proposal.

Create a Budget for your Spending

Before you start looking for cars, determine the amount you'll spend and what kind of cars you're willing to pay for. You'll be able to pay on time and avoid unexpected costs by including registration and tax expenses within your budget estimates.

Take a friend along

A knowledgeable friend can be valuable when you're considering cars for auction. You'll get a better perception of the car's overall condition and they can spot any issues you didn't see.

Have a look at the car

It is not advisable to make an offer for a vehicle until you have had the opportunity to examine it. This will enable you to assess whether there are any major problems that require fixing or replacing parts. Request a look-see of the car, inquire whether there are any maintenance requirements and if you feel that there's something wrong, take a mechanic along prior to making an offer.

Cars At 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.