Auto Auctions: Buyer Beware
Auto auction, and the
online car auction site in particular, can be a dangerous market. After all, the
car auctioneers you are dealing with are salesman, and a salesman selling any kind of used goods is not always going to be completely honest with you. So what are you really getting? It all depends on whether or not you’re willing to do research on the
car auction. If you are, then you’ll find that most of the
online car auction vehicles are of sufficient quality, with the minor deficiencies that come with all used cars. Which, I understand, is something you’re willing to deal with, since you are not in the business of
buying a new vehicle.
Online Auto Auction Sites Scams
Online car auction sites are a primary source of getting hoodwinked on a deal, where tricks like factory pictures or fake feedback are commonplace. The quality of cars from
online car auctions can vary widely, considering everything is contingent on the care and driving skills of the seller, and every seller will tell you they are the second coming of Richard Petty. The only thing you can do to is to take the care to find out the facts. Things like mileage per year, documented maintenance, paint thickness, and history reports are vital tools in the
online car auction game. Of course, the history report from an independent auditor, such as
CARFAX.com, is the most vital source, considering people can lie about mileage and such business when you can’t inspect the car physically.
Ensuring a Quality Auction Car
The best way to avoid such hassles in
online auto auction purchases is to make sure you are dealing with a seller that is willing to avoid any contractual obligations until after you inspect the car. You can also request VIN#’s and other specifics, and if they are willing to cooperate, you should be fine. The majority of cars on
auto auction sites are in good standing. If they weren’t, the business itself would collapse. In most cases, if you watch your step and avoid the cons, a quality car is available for the bidding.
Checking Quality at Public Auto Auctions
Sometimes deciphering the quality of a
public auto auction vehicle can be as easy as buying a Elcometer. What in blazes is an Elcometer, you ask? It’s a device, around the $600 range, which will give you a reading on the paint thickness of a car. If the thickness is much higher than standard paint jobs, there is likely to have been body work done on the thing. Most bidders will have this tool and it should be in your pocket, when attending any
public auto auction. Other inspections you might want to consider before making an
auto auction purchase are uneven tread wear, an abundance of scratches and nicks, evidence of leaks, malfunctioning options, damaged rims, loose windows, cracks on windows, crack in the car, and rust on brakes. Like the
online auto auction, there will be cars of all kinds of varying conditions, but with the
public auto auction you have more tools at your disposal.
Government Car Auctions
The
government auto auction is an interesting practice, a place where cars come on the cheap as long as you’re willing to ignore the shaky history of the object in question. Most
government auction cars have been involved in drive-bys, murders, and large consumptions of narcotics, and grabbing the best deal often comes down to questions of morality rather than the zeroes in your bank account. However, if you are willing to look beyond this and the potential for ghost cars built on Indian burial grounds,
government auto auctions can reward you with a nice car for a nice deal.
Government Car Auction Drawbacks
There are, however, drawbacks to the
government car auction, aside from the occasional bullet holes and tree stains on the seats. The car, for instance, may be hot goods, and getting a title check may result in you discovering someone else owns your car. History reports, title checks, and research will be key in securing your car. Outside of the bureaucratic details, the car could be very well be damaged physically. When buying a car at a
government car auction, take care to have it inspected thoroughly.
Online Car Auction Sites to Check Out
InvoiceDealers.com
CarAuctions.com
AuctionPass.com
CheapCarFinder.com
AutoBargains
AmericanAutoBargains.com
