9 Tips For Winning At Public Auctions

 

So if you’re looking for a low price tag purchase, you’ll find plenty of options at an auto auction. From discontinued models to forgotten makes, an auto auction could help you find an affordable, unique vehicle that suits your style. Following our guidelines while evaluating a car or truck at the auction, will give you a better chance of getting a reliable vehicle. 

 

•  Here are some popular websites for purchasing vehicles at auction:

               Auctions with Nationwide Locations 

               https://www.copart.com               

               https://www.auctionnation.com    

               https://sca.auction/

 

• One thing to remember when viewing vehicles at the auction is that you are limited in time, so have a list already made of vehicles you want to view and possibly bid on, a flashlight and a rag. All auctions have their inventory listed on the website prior to the day of the auction. 

 

• The next thing to figure out is, why is this car here and not at a dealership? A lot of times the dealer took it in on a trade-in and it’s too old for their inventory to resell. Or it can be that the car has too many issues to repair and make a profit on.

 

• A vehicle clearly to walk away from is one with too much rust on the chassis or rotting rocker panels (bottom of the doors and trunk). You will find some cars noted to be from a finance company or a repossession and will not have keys to start and not being able to verify if it runs. If the car is noted as coming from a dealership with no keys, that might be a clue they will find an idiot willing to buy it ‘as is’. This means the buyer will not find the major issues until they’ve brought it home and made a key for it.

 

• One good tool for gaining knowledge about the seller, or who the seller bought it from is copying the VIN number on the listing and doing a Google search. It doesn’t always work and sometimes the number is incorrect so that you can’t find any history of the seller on purpose. If you do find any history, you can trace it from the location of the trade-in to it’s origin. The listing will also show you the title holder and just know, you have better odds with purchasing a car from a finance company or a large dealership seller.

 

 

• After you go to auctions a few times, you start to figure out the DO’s and DON’Ts. For example, a car that has a fair amount of different families looking over the car (drooling) with the wife and kids saying “Lets get this one” will probably be sold at a cost more than its worth. This due to the fact that hey bid based on feelings and looks instead of bidding on it for the least amount. So, it’s in your best interest NOT to bring your family so that car will be sold above expectations.

 

• Apart from viewing cars you’re interested in, keep an eye on single men with a list going over a car thoroughly. They seem to be the ones with an advantage in the game because chances are they do it for a living. So finding a car that you both are interested in increases your odds of getting a good purchase. You just need to bid a bit higher than his cut off point.
  

 

• Prior to any interest in purchasing at an auction site always check on any restrictions and rules in your state, each state is different. The automotive lemon law applies to certain vehicles in a list made up of certain years of vehicles deemed not roadworthy and too costly to maintain written by our government.

 

• Your right to return a car from an auto auction varies with each company conducting the auction. You might be fortunate if you bought from an auto auction with a money back guarantee. Some auto auctions have a guarantee if the vehicle is found to have major mechanical issues within a certain amount of time or miles driven.

 

Buying a car or truck at auction could get you a great vehicle at a bargain price. Yet remember, there are plenty of risks involved. Always be sure to run a vehicle history report and investigate the car’s history before parting with your hard-earned cash.