The first step is to search online and visit a car auction site to find one that is closest to you. The website will provide you with links to where you can view the available vehicles.
Car auctions have their own unique set of rules and buying at them is no different. The only thing that you’ll be able to do is to listen to the car run and visually inspect it. You are not allowed to test drive or have it brought to a mechanic’s garage. You may also run the VIN and obtain the Carfax report.
Before buying a new or used vehicle at a car auction, you should know what you’re looking for.
Before attending an auto auction, you must register with the auction house and get a bidder’s pass. You’ll need to provide financial verification. You may be required to provide a bank letter or complete a credit application. Once approved, the confirmation from the auction house will include details on where to stay and how to get to the auction site.
Once you’re at the auction, you can begin bidding on the cars that catch your eye.
The vehicles will be presented with their starting prices. To make your bidding experience easier, you can set a maximum bid.
When the auction begins, the cars are normally displayed on a screen, or in an auction hall for buyers to view. Bidding usually begins at a lower estimate, often the reserve, and continues until the car sells to its highest bidder.
You may be competing with several bidders for the same vehicle. Therefore, it’s best to do proper planning, stick to your budget and not overspend. Once you have won the bid, the final step is to inspect the vehicle and it will be delivered to you. You will have to take care of insurance, license plate, and registration before it is legal to drive.
Before bidding, make sure to know what you’re looking for in a car. If you’re looking for a new vehicle, you may want to consider getting one with the latest features. Many government car auctions offer the option of purchasing a brand-new car, while others will only sell used models. Most of the vehicles come from dealership trade-ins. This means that the quality of the vehicle will vary, but if you are diligent, you’ll get the best deal possible.
Pay attention to the auction rules. A few things to keep in mind:
Know what forms of payment are accepted at the car auction before you go. Some of them want the money in a matter of hours, while others will allow up to three days to pay.
You may need to register by a certain date or provide some form of identification to buy the vehicle. You should also find out about payment terms.
Once you’ve selected a couple of vehicles that meet your criteria, take the time to inspect the cars. You may want to bring a portable code reader, available at any auto supply store.
Check the color and smell of the transmission fluid.
Make sure there are no check engine lights on the dashboard panel.
Look underneath for any rust, and make sure all the controls inside work properly.
Check the wipers, heater and A/C, door locks, interior and exterior lights, etc.
The auction house will not give you a warranty, so you must make sure that the car you buy is worth your money.
The most important thing to remember is that car auctions can be a little crazy. During the bidding process, there is a great amount of pressure, and the speed of the auction is fast-paced. As a result, it is easy to make a snap decision, which could end up costing you a lot of money. If you’re not sure about the car you want, slow down a bit and walk away from the car. Set the limit on how much you are willing to pay.
In Summary
When buying a car at a car auction, you should be clear about the type of vehicle that you’re looking for. You need to be sure of the year, make and model before purchasing it. The auction should have a good reputation. They should be able to assure that you’re not purchasing a stolen vehicle and you should be allowed to access the vehicle history.
There are no guarantees when it comes to buying a used or new vehicle at an auto auction, so it’s important to know what to look for and be as diligent as possible.
