Do you think it is a good idea to buy a car from an auction?

Question

Im really tryin to save money or buying a new car, so I'm thinking about going to an auction, but I dont really trust the condition of the car.

Answer 1

usually those cars are beaters, cars that were reposed.
I dont think you save that much for all the hassle of having to bid on the car and standing around waiting for the auction... i would just find a good used car in your area and negotiate with the seller, although many of these sellers buy cars from auction and raise the price and then advertise them. know who your seller is. One owner cars, are best, i would also use carfax whenever possible, and take the car to a mechanic.
i buy cars from original owners on craigslist or yahoo

Answer 2

Unless you are willing to play mechanic, or willing to pay for the costs of a mechanic (which can add up to more than the cost of an auctioned car). I would advise avoiding them.

Most of the time the cars at auction can go for a few $1000 less, but typically the car is not in optimum condition. (Usually the reason they are there in the first place). Many have extensive repair costs and you can't tell an engine's condition by just looking at it from the outside. The only way you can tell the condition of an engine is to do some tests which most auction houses don't let you do on site.

If you are willing to learn about cars and work on them yourself, then I would say go for it because they are a place to pick up some deals that you can fix up.

Answer 3

To purchase a car from a goverment used car online auction is very easy,there are some points you should know:

1. You need to know what kind of used car you are looking for. A lot of people spend too much time just searching around without any real concrete idea of what they want. If you have an idea of what you are looking for, you are off to a great start!
2. You need to find a suitable used car online auction service that provides tech support, an updated database of vehicles for you to choose from, and a service that is fast. The last thing you want is to sit around at a slow car auction site.
3. Upon entering the used car online auction site you will do the following. Simply choose your model, and make of the car you wish to find, and click go! It really is that easy.
4. The used car online auction service will go out to their updated database and find entries which match your query. The results will be displayed on screen and you can choose the used car of your dreams.

OK,You can check out http://www.seized-car-auction.info ,this site lists top 5 goverment used car online auction sites for you to choose,It really is that easy.

Answer 4

Hi,

You can get a good deal from the auctions.

Make sure you go early to the viewings.

If you see a car you fancy check it visually for leaks, dents etc.

If you can get them to start the car do so, feel see if the engine is cold or hot.

A cold engine that has trouble starting is no good to you.
A hot engine will nearly always start but sometimes there is a knack to it so don't worry so much about that.

Check the exhaust when it is being started, heavy smoke is a no no.

If you have looked at a car and are pretty sure you like it hang around a different car and watch the punters who look at the one you want.

A private buyer might be carrying a copy of a Shop Bought car price guide but the Car Traders will have a trade price book.
Make a mental note of who is interested in the car they will usually mark their sales guide..

Get a good spot in the auction to see the crowd, forget the cars, you know what you are after.
Check out the bidders to locate the traders you saw who looked interested in the car you want.

A trader will always stop bidding at or around the trade price, it is not economical for him to go higher.

So when the bidding starts wait to see what the traders are doing. If one starts bidding let him go, when he stops you bid.

He may go one bid more against you but that will be it.

If you outbid that bid then you more than likely will have won the car, for trade price, which is a good saving against the retail price.

If a new bidder starts against you then you can say that they are a private bidder, if this happens you are on your own.

You know you are over trade price but under retail. You need to buy the car at a low enough price so that if a major repair is needed you can afford that and still come in under book price.

The things to remember at an auction, check the car as much as possible, check the retail price, set your highest price (always allowing for repairs).

NEVER BE TEMPTED TO BID ABOVE YOUR SET PRICE.

Answer 5

Angela is correct you can save some cash but you need to know what you are doing,some dealers will run you up on price they seem to think you are intruding on there livelihood so watch for that,at the A1 auction`s most of the cars have a report stuck to the w/screen and it is pretty much reliable,i have bought many cars from the block and had little trouble

Answer 6

You can get a good deal at an auction, but you will probably need to do some repairs on it to get it into good shape. You're really better off buying from a private seller who has had the car inspected by a good repair shop or dealership.

Answer 7

That is where car dealers buy a lot of their cars. I don't know if they inspect the cars before or AFTER they purchase cars from an auction though, that might be the deal breaker.

Answer 8

Unless you know what you ae looking for as far condition and approx reconditioning costs no it is not a good idea. There is a reason you go to a reputable dealer to buy a car. The car has been inspected and the necasary repairs have been done. So go to aa reputable new car dealer and buy from them.

Answer 9

If you're a mechanic or know a really good one who can check the car out thoroughly for you before hand. Be very aware, cars are at auction because they didn't make it on the regular retail market.

Answer 10

Not unless you are very familiar with th eins and puts of pre-owned cars. The pros are very good at identifying a good used car at an auction and determining which cars they want on their lots. I'd be careful.