Cheap Car Auctions

Here is a list of second hand car buying and selling options, and each of its pros and cons.

1) Car Dealers:

They provide you with a guarantee of title and the best legal protection. They offer a broad selection of cars and most offer less expensive and older model cars.

On the other hand, trade-ins could not provide the best price for your old car and purchasing of used cars could be risky since most car dealers buy from taxi companies, police departments and lease fleets.

To ensure the quality of a second hand car, visit a dealership that specializes in the makes and models you prefer.

2) Private Owners:

There are two different sides of buying from a private owner – they maintain their car regularly or they are trying to sell the car to dispose of junk. Although most privately owned used cars come cheap, you would be taking a car-investment risk with no warranty, security title and no legal recourse if you purchased a lemon.

You should ask for repair and maintenance receipts to ensure the upholding of the vehicle.

3) Car auctions:

Here you could get a good deal and save a lot of money if you really know cars and are an avid fixer-upper. Auctions also guarantee the car title.

However, you should first do your homework. Some auctions do not provide warranties, cannot let you run a test drive, and you will not be able to check the vehicle’s history record.

4) Rental car companies:

Rental cars are a good deal since they are rented by vacationers, businesspersons for short trips, and are guaranteed wearing road trips. Their cars are regularly serviced and they could provide the records of maintenance history.

However, even with a maintenance record, buyers would not have any idea who has driven the car before buying it. Rental cars could also cost slightly more than used cars bought from private sellers.

Research is important to guarantee a best deal in your car investment. Avoid being scammed in the classifieds by trying the best option that would suit your needs.

Nowadays, if somebody drives a posh car, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the person is rich – the luxury vehicle might have been bought at one of the numerous seized car auctions held regularly.

As the name suggests, seized car auctions offer vehicles that were seized by the government or the police due to some illegal activity. Apart from criminals, automobiles at repossessed auto auctions come from people failed to pay the mortgage, defaulted on tax payments, etc. The goal of the government is not to cash on these vehicles, but rather get rid of them quickly and avoid storage and maintenance expenses.

Seized car auctions as well as other types of auto auctions have their own advantages and disadvantages. Being aware of them will help you decide whether or not this is the way you want to purchase your vehicle.

Advantages of Seized Car Auctions

1. Unbelievably low starting bid. You can expect 80 and even 90% discount – a great bargain if you compare it with the retailer price.

2. Good condition. Most vehicles at seized car auctions have been in use not more than 5 years. Quite often, there are cars in a “close to new” condition.

3. History reports available. Ideally, every such auto auction will provide free Car Fax VIN reports. Additionally, you can use an Auto Check Vehicle History to make sure that the car was not damaged in an accident.

4. Possibility to find a rare model. If you are on a lookout for a particular model, especially rare or imported one, chances are you will find it at a seized auto auction. Check online seized car auctions as well – they have an impressive number of listings, so it is really not so hard to find what you want.

Disadvantages of Seized Car Auctions

1. Sold “as is”. After acquiring a car, it is impossible to exchange or return it for a refund. Therefore, take time to assess the car’s condition and check its history.

2. Hard for beginners. If you are a first-timer, a repossessed auto auction may seem to be a tough place to you. Needless to say, it is difficult to keep up with experienced car dealers. A friend who is not new to seized car auctions would be of great help. Or, turn to online auto auctions – they are easier to control the bidding process.

3. Time consuming. Searching for the seized car auctions in your area, registration, preliminary checking, attending the auction (especially if it is quite far from your place), and getting all the necessary paperwork done later may take up to a few weeks. Again, participation is an online auction is easier, though involves more risks and concerns.

With these knowledge in hand, you are in a better position to buy a car that is auctioned. For more details on where and how to pick up your dream car from seized car auctions, read up my blog.