| Get to the auction early! I know that sounds | | | | normally only open to dealers. |
| really simple - but then buying a used car at | | | | |
| a used Car Auction is not rocket science. You | | | | Keep in mind that online car auctions are not |
| just have to bear in mind some simple and | | | | so different to public car auctions. Once you |
| basic rules of thumb and you should be fine. | | | | have won your bid you are committed to buy. |
| So, get there early and have a good look | | | | So it pays to run the same VIN checks and it |
| around. Take your time finding the car you | | | | may well be worth setting up an inspection |
| want and make sure you have your Kelley Blue | | | | period with the seller. So that you can have |
| Book, NADA guide, or Edmunds book if you're | | | | a certified mechanic inspect the car and |
| going to a used car auction to get an idea of | | | | determine if there is anything unsatisfactory |
| the car's value. | | | | about the car that was not disclosed at the |
| | | | auction. |
| When you find a car you like, open all the | | | | |
| doors, trunk and hood and find the VIN | | | | Police and government car auctions are not |
| stickers and make sure they match. If they | | | | really much different to public car auctions. |
| don't the car is either stolen, was a wreck | | | | In other words, you are not likely to get |
| or has been rebuilt from different cars. In | | | | your car 'dirt cheap'. You won't be the only |
| any event, check out the VIN number. Call a | | | | one there bidding for a 'dirt cheap' and |
| friend on your cell phone (or use your pocket | | | | before you know it you can easily end up |
| PC) and get them to check it out online. | | | | paying way over the published price. For my |
| There are several services that will give you | | | | money, bearing in mind that these cars may |
| a report online instantly. Remember the | | | | not have been maintained or driven for |
| auctioneers have a vested interest in any | | | | months, I'd rather not pay more than trade |
| information you get from them - so be | | | | price for a car at one of these auctions. |
| prepared to verify your facts independently. | | | | Otherwise, what's the point of being there? |
| | | | |
| Of course, there are several types of | | | | Finally, once you have purchased your car, |
| 'auction' available to you. These include | | | | and despite the pitfalls, there are genuinely |
| online auctions like eBay and yahoo, police | | | | thousands and thousands of happy customers |
| and government car auctions, public | | | | out there - give serious consideration to |
| auctions, insurance salvage auctions and | | | | taking out an extended car warranty. |
| wholesale auctions. Though the last two are | | | | |