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