Getting the Most Car for Your Buck - Car Auction Tips

By: Tim Lee

Vehicles that are used in the commission of certain crimes,
particularly drug offenses, often become the property of the
arresting agency, depending on local laws. While these seized
vehicles are occasionally used by the agency, in the vast
majority of cases the vehicles are sold at auction.

Cars that have been repossessed for nonpayment are also commonly
sold at car auctions. This means that, under the right
circumstances, the savvy shopper can find some spectacular
deals.

Car auctions are competitive, however, so it is possible to come
away paying more than the vehicle is worth. This article
provides a few car auction tips that can be used to increase the
chances of finding real bargains.

It is important to do your homework before the car auction
begins. Most auctions will allow the automobiles to be inspected
by the public a few days before the event is held. This provides
a great opportunity to look under the hood, kick the tires,
check the shocks, and do all the other tests that can give the
shopper an idea of the state of the vehicle.

Be sure to record the vehicle identification number (VIN) of any
vehicle you are interested in buying. You can use this number to
get a report on issues that have been reported to insurance
agencies or law enforcement departments in the past.

It is important to know if the vehicle has been flooded, fire
damaged, rebuilt, or involved in a major accident. Armed with
this knowledge, you can return and inspect the vehicle and look
for defects that you might not otherwise know to look for.

This advice assumes that the purchaser is skilled enough with
automobiles to know how to inspect them properly. For most
auctions, a test drive is out of the question.

Therefore, if you are not confident in your ability to diagnose
the condition of the vehicle, consider asking a friend or
relative who is knowledgeable about the inner workings of
automobiles to help you out. Some professional mechanics will
also attend the auction to inspect the car for you (for a fee of
course).

It is important to have all of your homework complete by the
time the auction begins. Know beforehand the maximum amount you
are willing to pay and stick to it. It is very easy to get
caught up in the competitive nature of bidding and become so
engrossed in beating the "other guy" that you lose perspective
of the real reason you are there--to find the best deal
possible. It is not uncommon for people to leave auctions
bewildered why they paid as much as they did.

Car auctions can be a great source for excellent deals for those
who are serious about finding bargains and do their homework.
Those who attend the auction spontaneously or lose themselves in
the competitive nature of bidding are likely to come away paying
more than if they had bought the vehicle from a dealer.

About the author:
For listings of car auctions, please visit http://www.auto-car-
auctions.info/