Motor Vehicle Auctions

For many years, buying a car through an auction meant that the buyer was purchasing a model from a selection of repossessed cars, or cars that had been seized and were made available through government auctions. There were also many types of specialized car auctions that were not open to the public.

But, today, things have changed considerably and now there are more options than ever in automobile auctions that the public can take advantage of, as well as dealers and other industry insiders. These days it is not unusual for banks, credit unions, and finance companies to hold public car auctions to deal with the growing inventory of repossessed cars that they have on their property. Salvage yards, body shops and auto repair shops are also known to engage the services of car auction houses to help them sell vehicles that have been abandoned or seized because the owner could not pay a repair bill.

One of the primary things that people need to keep in mind when buying vehicles through auto auctions is that all sales are final and the vehicles are sold "as is." This means that no matter what kind of problems crop up as you drive the car home from the used car auction, the buyer has no legal recourse. For later model cars this might not be a problem, but it means that older cars at auctions might be best left for mechanics.

Buying a car is always a big responsibility. But making that choice on where to buy your car is a huge decision that needs to be thought through carefully. There are many choices on where you can buy your next automobile. You may buy it from a car lot or even off of EBay but have you considered online auto auctions as a place to get your next used car? Auto auctions are becoming more and more popular. But there are some things you absolutely should consider before making such an important purchase from an auction. Are you getting the best deal for your money? What happens if something goes wrong? These are questions that you have to think about when it comes to your new purchase. In this article we will cover what auto auctions are and how they can either help or hinder your pursuit of a new automobile.

What are auto auctions?
Auto auctions are places where cars are sold. It could be from a public auction that has several vehicles to sell or it could be from an online auction at such places as EBay or specialist online auction sites. There are also government seized auctions that occur regularly. The best place to look for car auctions is online. This way you can get access to a broader range of cars, trucks, vans and sport-utility vehicles than you could at a local auto auction.

Are auto auctions open to the public?
Most auto auctions are now open to the public. This is especially true of vehicles that are being auctioned off on online websites. You may be required to register with the auction house before you begin bidding though. They will verify your identity and verify that you have a way to pay for the automobile after you have won the auction. There are some auctions, though, that are closed to the public. These auctions are only open to car dealers. The best way to find out if an auction is open to the public is to call the auction house and ask.

Why go to auto auctions?
Many people go to auto auctions because they can get a better deal on a car than they can at a local dealership. Many of the cars sold at auctions are from repossessions or from individuals who want to sell their car but do not want to go through the hassle of listing it in the local newspaper. If you are looking to find a decent vehicle at a low price then you should definitely check out the online auto auctions held in your state. It may involve you driving a bit but it may well be worth it to find the auto that you have been looking for.

What forms of payment are accepted at auto auctions?
Each auction company has different rules about forms of payment. Some will accept a local check while others out of the area may not. Cash is always a good idea to have when you go to one of these auto auctions. If you buy your car from an online auto auction you may be able to pay with PayPal and then bring the rest in cash or a certified check when you go to pick up the vehicle. If you are unsure of what form of money to bring you can always call the auction company to see what forms of payment they accept.