Buyers Tips for an Auto Auction

It’s easy to find discounted car bargains at a public auto auction. Anything from older, junk fixer uppers to great newer cars even to expensive luxury models can be found. Whether it’s for personal use or resale, a lot of people purchase vehicles in this manner. But unless you keep some things in mind the auction can turn into a nightmare.

One possible problem is that the purchase might not be a good one. Every car at an auction isn’t a hidden gem. The rule of the auction jungle is “as is”. Even children have been taught about “as is” through a television cartoon showing a guy buying a used car. The salesman responds “as is” to every question. Finally the man agrees to buy the car, pays for it, but when he opens the door to get into the car it falls to pieces. ”I want the car as was!” screams the angry driver. Nobody wants to become that guy.

People are given the chance to inspect the vehicles at auto auctions. Don’t make a purchase or even a bid at any auction that won’t accommodate that practice. Take the time to do some leg work. Look around and test drive the cars of interest. If you don’t know anything about cars, bring someone who does. If that can’t happen then test drive it to a quick inspection at a garage. A good mechanic can provide a thorough inspection in a short time. Look for other issues such as dings or dents or rust .

Another problem is inherent in auctions. People assume that the auction price will be a great deal, but often it ends up being more expensive than purchasing the item through a normal sales process. Like other types of auctions, auto auctions can be the same way. The bidding can easily escalate to well over the car’s value. Be very careful because fees will be added to the final bid price. Be armed with Kelly Blue Book values as well as real sales examples of similar models and years. No need to even look it up in advance since the information is online and phones can access it. Don’t pay more than the car is worth, even if it’s a coveted antique.

It’s not hard to find bargains at auctions. Don’t go in blind, however. An auto auction follows the rule of thumb of every sale, buyer beware.