It’s easy to find discounted car bargains at car auctions. Not only can great deals on used cars be found there, but also some incredible higher model cars too.. Many people purchase cars this way either for themselves or to sell at a profit. A little information can make an auction an even better experience.
One possible problem is that the purchase might not be a good one. The car won at auction might turn out to be a lemon. The rule of the auction jungle is “as is”. Remember the old Sesame Street skit in which a man looks over a car with “as is” in the window He makes a cursory look at the car, but every question is met with “the car is as is” from the salesman. After the sale is final the buyer tries to drive the car, but the doors fall off and the engine explodes. ”I want the car as was!” screams the angry driver. Don’t be like that man.
Reputable preowned car auctions give buyers ample opportunities to check out the cars before bidding or purchase. Don’t make a purchase or even a bid at any auction that won’t accommodate that practice. Spend time at the facility before the auction begins. Test drive the cars you like. If you don’t know anything about cars, bring someone who does. If that isn’t possible, at least drive the car for an inspection during the test drive. Decent inspections take only a few minutes to check the important elements of the car including the motor, belts, brakes, and the like. Check other elements for damage. This includes the body, upholstery, and bumpers .
The very nature of auctions leads to another common issue. Auctions can be a great deal, but the price could also be more than common retail. That holds true for car auctions too. 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. Know the prices of similar models in similar conditions from Kelly Blue Book or other sales data. With Internet enabled phones and the like it’s now easy to look up this information while on site. Don’t pay more than the car is worth, even if it’s a coveted antique.
